Jeûne genevois (Genevan fast) is a public holiday in Geneva, Switzerland, which occurs on the Thursday following the first Sunday of September.

History
Beginning in the 15th century, fasting in order to commemorate serious events (such as famines, plagues, and wars) was a common occurrence in Europe. The Swiss Federal Diets of 1480 and 1483 discussed organizing Fast Days of penitence and thanksgiving, but decided to leave the decision for the individual cantons. Because of the absence of federal law, the "fast days" took the form of pilgrimages, processions, litanies and actual fasts.