| 1291 |
1st of August: Alliance by pledged mutual assistance by the Primeval Cantons (or Forest Communities) or Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden against the Habsburgs. |
| 1515 |
Switzerland withdraws from expansionist policies and declares neutrality. |
| 1519 |
Reformation starts in Zurich with Zwingli. |
| 1648 |
Treaty of Westphalia recognizes Switzerland as a neutral state. |
| 1798 |
The French invade Switzerland. The Old Confederation collapses. |
| 1815 |
The Congress of Vienna establishes Switzerland as a Federation, determines its final boundaries and guarantees its independence and permanent neutrality. |
| 1847 |
Civil War. The Protestant army led by General Dufour crushes the Catholic Cantons who had formed a separatist league. |
| 1848 |
New Federal Constitution. Compromise between central control and cantonal authority. Industrialization. |
| 1864 |
Foundation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva. |
| 1918 + 1945 |
Switzerland emerges unscathed from the First and Second World War. |
| 1971 |
As a result of a plebiscite, women’s suffrage is accepted at Federal level. |
| 2000 |
By popular vote, Switzerland approves the bilateral accords between Switzerland and the European Union. |
| 2002 |
After its rejection in 1986, Switzerland becomes member of the United Nations. |
