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| 1979, Jan. 1 |
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| The Republic and Canton of the Jura was created, bringing the total number of cantons to 23 (20 full cantons, 6 half cantons). Jura was the first new canton to be formed since the establishment of the Swiss Confederation in 1848. | 1 |
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| 1981, June 14 |
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| A national referendum approved a constitutional amendment on the guarantee of equality of rights and opportunities for men and women. On the same day, the Swiss electorate also approved a constitutional article on the protection of consumers. | 2 |
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| 1984, March–Dec |
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| The Parliament voted in favor of Switzerland's joining the United Nations. But on March 16, 1986, a national referendum rejected full Swiss membership in the UN, though it kept its observer status and its membership in various UN organizations. | 3 |
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| Oct. 2 |
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| For the first time in Swiss history, a woman, Dr. Elisabeth Kopp, was elected to the Bundesrat, serving as head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police. | 4 |
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