Geneva
Geneva is the second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous of the French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the capital of the Republic and Canton of Geneva, and a centre for international diplomacy. Geneva hosts the highest number of international organizations in the world.
Some of the key events about Geneva
- 1536The city officially adopted Protestantism, becoming a major center of the Reformation
- 1559The Geneva Academy (later University of Geneva) was founded as a theological and humanist seminary
- 1602Escalade attack on Geneva by Savoyard forces was repelled
- 1782Severe famine struck Geneva, causing widespread suffering
- 1798Geneva was annexed by France, losing its independence
- 1815Geneva joined the Swiss Confederation as the 22nd canton
- 1815Severe food shortages led to riots in Geneva
- 1863The International Committee of the Red Cross was founded in Geneva
- 1864The First Geneva Convention was adopted, establishing the basis for international humanitarian law
- 1919Geneva was chosen as the seat of the League of Nations
- 1932Protesters were killed by the Swiss Army during a political demonstration
- 1942Geneva experienced food rationing during World War II
- 1945The United Nations established its European headquarters in Geneva
- 1954The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) was founded near Geneva
- 1958A major fire destroyed part of Geneva's Old Town
- 1985The first Reagan-Gorbachev summit was held in Geneva, marking a thaw in Cold War relations
- 1985Severe flooding caused significant damage in Geneva
- 2001Armed robbery at a Geneva jewelry store resulted in a large diamond heist
- 2008The Large Hadron Collider at CERN near Geneva began operations, advancing particle physics research
- 2009Global financial crisis negatively impacted Geneva's banking sector
Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.