During the 13th century the people living in the Alps were becoming increasingly unhappy with their government.

The mountain people had their own customs and institutions. These were being interfered with by the rulers of the Holy Roman Empire, of which the Alps formed a part. On 1 August, 1291, representatives from the areas of Uri, Schwyz and Nidwalden met in the Meadow of Rutli. They formed the League of Uri in which they declared themselves to be independent of the Empire. Years of hard fighting lay ahead for the mountain men, but they eventually won their freedom and formed the nation we today call Switzerland.

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