being in the US, i am unfamiliar with their celebrations...May I ask what it was? deanna

It's their national holiday. On that date they should be the vow to unit switzerland as a free country (sorry my english is not the best :o). the day before they collect wood and make a big fire in every town. My aunt lives in switzerland and I was always there during the summerholidays as a child. I thought they burn the fires the night before but now I've read that they did it today (maybe when I hurry up I can take part; just 3 hours to the Lake Constanze). As child we made wooden sticks (cut them from bushes and pointed them) and broiled sausages over the flames. In all the windows there were red glases with the white cross with a candle inside, flags and garlands.
On that day they make a great firework (on new year you see no firework in switzerland - just were tourists stay ;-). You see I sit here and have wonderful memories...
Take a look at wikipedia, they have some nice pictures (that's the link to the site in german; on the english site there isn't so much to view):
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schweizer_Bundesfeiertag
here is the english wiki-site:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_National_Day
Mybe I go and took out my 1.August-glases and put a light on...

for camylow:
Tried to make a photo of my candle-lights. That are just cheap plastic-ones with the white cross printed on :o)

This was interesting to learn of another countries holiday......thanks.