In the news1939–1948
1939 Wahlen Plan increases food self-sufficiency
To prepare for the Second World War, the government introduced the Wahlen Plan in 1939 to increase food self-sufficiency by doubling arable land for crops like potatoes. Rationing of staple foods was implemented and remained in place until 1948.
Getting around
Expansion of affordable rail and bus travel
During the interwar period, Swiss railways and postbuses expanded their ticket offers, including reduced prices for families and ski trips, to attract more travelers.
In Europe1941–1945
The Holocaust
Nazi Germany and its collaborators murdered six million Jews, and Roma, disabled people and others, in camps and mass shootings.
Daily life
School routines involved four daily walks
Children typically walked 30 to 40 minutes to and from school four times a day, as there were no school lunches and they had to return home at noon.
What people wore
Embroidery time for costumes
Hand-embroidering the small design on the white collar of an Appenzell women's costume takes seven hours of meticulous manual work.
Music
Popularity of the Schwyzerörgeli accordion
The Schwyzerörgeli, a type of accordion, was a dominant instrument for Ländler music, which became popular in cities as a form of social dance music.
At the table
War created the Ragusa chocolate bar
After the war, the popular Ragusa chocolate bar was created by stretching limited cocoa supplies with nuts imported from Italy.