21 Most Memorable Swiss Photographs of 2010

Before 2011 is completely taking over, I believe that the prior year deserves another minute. Much has happened in the Swiss political landscape, but these photographs prove that 2010 boasts some scientific breakthroughs and one successful tunnelling endeavour as well...

Without further ado, here are the 21 most memorable Swiss photographs of 2010:

January 3: Seven people died in the first avalanche of the year at Diemtigtal in the Bernese Alps. (Keystone)

March 30: The world's largest particle accelerator project located near Geneva broke a record by circulating two proton beams in their underground tunnel to generate 3.5 billion volts of energy. We reported.

April 4: Bear cubs "Urs" and "Berna" playing at their new digs in Switzerland's capital, Bern.

April 7: German test pilot Markus Scherdel is flying the solar powered "Solar Impulse" by the panoramic Swiss Alps.

April 10: About 10'000 people gathered to hear the Dalai Lama speak at the "Free Tibet" rally on Zürich's Münsterplatz.

April 30: Then-leader of the Young Social Democrats (Juso), Cédric Wermuth, addressing Credit Suisse shareholders at the annual meeting. He was dressed as Santa.

May 18: Roger de Weck was appointed general manager of the Swiss radio and TV broadcasting association (SRG SSR idée suisse).

June 1: Some 60 farmers protested in Le Mont against low wholesale prices for milk.

June 11: Before his September appointment as president of the General Assembly of the United Nations, Swiss Federal Counselor Joseph Deiss spoke at New York's UN headquarters.

June 14: After almost two years in Libyan captivity and a plethora of diplomatic activity, Swiss business man Max Göldi was allowed to return to Switzerland.

July 1: Swiss Federal Council members showing off their creative sides at the Aarau Art Museum.

July 9: Long-serving Swiss Transport Minister Moritz Leuenberger announced his resignation in front of Bern's Bundeshaus.

July 29: A hunger strike by cannabis farmer Bernard Rappaz divides public opinion. After he was allowed to serve the rest of his term on his farm in Valais, Rappaz finally interrupted his stunt.

August 6: The second resignation of a Swiss Federal Council member in a row. Finance Minister Hans-Rudolf Merz was often criticized for his clumsy handling of the UBS crisis, Libya affair, and tax disputes with Germany.

August 22: Switzerland has a king: Kilian Wenger won the annual Schwingen-Tournament in Frauenfeld, also called "Swiss wrestling".

September 9: Swiss SWAT forces outside the house of a senior citizen who ran amok and terrorized an entire town.

September 22: Two new members of the Swiss Federal Council, Simonetta Sommaruga and Johann Schneider-Ammann congratulated each other on their appointment. We reported.

October 15: Major digging of the world’s longest rail tunnel through the Alps has concluded - what a feat!

October 29: During a controversial press conference in Zürich, FIFA president Sepp Blatter announced the host countries for upcoming soccer world cups: Russia (2018) and Qatar (2022).

November 1: Convicts awaiting extradition at Zürich's airport.

November 20: A poster advocating the "expulsion initiative" for criminal foreigners, which was accepted by Swiss voters on November 28.

What was your most memorable Swiss moment in 2010?

(Inspired by NZZ Online with pictures by Reuters, unless otherwise noted)