A recent survey indicates a surprising disconnect among Swiss citizens regarding their country’s historical origins. While the 1291 Federal Charter, signed by the cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden, is traditionally considered the foundation of Switzerland, most Swiss people do not identify this event as the moment their country became a nation-state. The findings suggest a distinction between patriotic legends and a more nuanced understanding of Switzerland’s complex political development. This challenges the conventional narrative surrounding the country's founding. The survey highlights a potential gap between the officially taught history and the public's collective memory. Researchers found respondents favoured alternative moments in history as defining the nation’s creation, indicating a more complex understanding of Swiss national identity. This disconnect raises questions about how national narratives are formed and maintained.