Monday, August 1st, 2022

• Monday, August 1st, 2022
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  Swiss National Day (Schweizer Bundesfeiertag)

  The Swiss National Day is 1 August. It is inspired by the mention of "early August" (primo incipiente mense Augusto) in the Federal Charter of 1291. It was first celebrated in Berne in 1891, marking the 600th anniversary of the charter. It displaced the formerly more prominent traditional date of the Rütlischwur, 8 November 1307. Based on that date, in 1907, the 600th anniversary was celebrated in Altdorf. In 1941, the 650th anniversary was celebrated.
  
  Following a public vote on 26 September 1993, it was made an official national holiday in 1994. It is celebrated each year on 1 August with town-wide paper lantern parades, bonfires, hanging strings of Swiss flags and fireworks.
  
  Switzerland celebrated its 718th anniversary on 1 August 2009. The year 1291 refers to the creation of the country, although its independence was not held until 1648.
• Monday, August 1st, 2022
  *The times shown may change, depending on DST settings

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  Loaf Fest (Freyfaxi)

  Freyfaxi marked the beginning of the harvest in Iceland. Dedicated to the God of the harvest, it was a time for celebration with horse races, martial sports, and of course a Blot to Freyr and a feast. Thor, as hallower and defender of the fields, is also honred as is his fair wife Sif whose golden hair reminds us of the corn. Traditionally, three stalks of the first grain are bound together into a sheaf and kept as an amulet of fortune. Oftentimes, this sheaf, bound by a wise woman, was left in the field as magical protection for the crop. The penultimate sheaf is kept for the Yule feast. The last sheaf is left on the field for Odin's horse Sleipnir.