August 1st is Swiss Independence Day and is celebrated in Switzerland with paper lantern parades, bonfires, fireworks and competitive rifle shooting matches (in advance of the September Knabenschiessen national shooting match). I personally have many happy memories of this day, standing on my Great Aunt's roof, watching all the village bonfires and fireworks reflected all around Lac Neuchatel.

Even better it was the eve of my birthday and the following day we would be celebrating with an ice-cream cake that only the Swiss can make. I hope to be celebrating there agian next summer with a big family holiday.  

Pacte du Grutli

The date is inspired by the date of the Federal Charter of 1291, Pacte du Grutli, placed in "early August", when "three Alpine cantons swore the oath of confederation" (Schwyz, Uri and Unterwalden), an action which later came to be regarded as the foundation of Switzerland. The document is one of several dozen pacts attested for the territory of Switzerland in the period of the mid-13th to mid-14th century.

Thank you https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_National_Day