Posted
on October 26, 2014
On
this date in 1955, Austria adopted its Neutrality Constitution
declaring the nation permanently neutral, like Switzerland, during
times of war between nations...
Austria
is no stranger to war... For hundreds of years, it has been embroiled
in one or another war – wars with Egypt, the Ottoman Empire,
Hungary, even England and Sweden and France and Spain! During World
War I, Austria was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and fought—and
lost—on the side of the Germans. In 1938, Austria was annexed by
Nazi German, so once again it fought on the losing side of a world
war. At the end of World War II, Austria was occupied by the Soviet
Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.
It
was able to finally become free and independent again only by
committing itself to neutrality.
This
declaration of neutrality is so important to Austrians that they
celebrate the anniversary of the declaration of neutrality as their
national holiday. The country's neutrality is explicitly stated in
both the nation's constitution and in international law.
 |
| This Google doodle celebrates Austria's Neutrality Constitution. |
Did
you know...?
There
are 12 neutral nations, plus 5 more nations who claim to be neutral.
Also, there have been many nations who have declared themselves
neutral for a period of time – but then abandoned their neutrality
to enter into NATO or some other protective treaty.
The
U.S. formally declared neutrality for three years before WWI and for
one year before WWII. It abandoned its neutral stance when U.S. ships
were attacked (WWI) and when Hawaii was attacked (WWII).
Beautiful
Austria...
- Want an American view on some of the more surprising things about Austria? Check out Real Life of an Expat Wife's list. I found it interesting that dogs are allowed to go everywhere (even movie theaters!), most people learn to ski when they are still kids, and kids only have to go to school until they are 14!
Vienna
has several unusual museums, including one devoted to globes and
another to the artificial language Esperanto.
 |
| At the Esperanto museum, kids can plan Pac Man and learn the language at the same time! |
Also
on this date:
Plan
ahead:
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out my Pinterest boards for:
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here are my Pinterest boards for:
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