Liechtenstein National Day

The holiday was conceived in 1940 as a means of reinforcing the Liechtenstein's loyalty to the prince and the country's continued independence during World War II.^[2] It was also designed to defy the German National Movement in Liechtenstein (VDBL), who sought the annexation of Liechtenstein into Nazi Germany.^[3] The first celebration was held on 15 August 1940, during which the VDBL caused provocation by burning a swastika in Triesen and later in Planken.^[3] The VDBL ignored the holiday and instead celebrated the birthday of Adolf Hitler on April 20.^[3]

The following year in 1941, the fireworks were held for the first time.^[2] The process of carrying torches through the Fürstensteig and lighting the bonfires originate from 1943.^[2] The holiday continued following the war, and since 1963 the annual folk festival has been held in Vaduz.^[2] Since 2022, after the event was cancelled for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the folk festival is now hosted by a chosen municipality but still in Vaduz.^[4]

Following the death of Franz Joseph II in 1989, under the recommendation of Hans-Adam II, the Landtag of Liechtenstein voted to keep the holiday.^[3] Today, the holiday is not as strong towards personal loyalty to the prince but places a heavier focus on the value's of Liechtenstein as a country.^[2]