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.

In 1522 Huldrych Zwingli, an early instigator of the Protestant Reformation in Switzerland, had declared that fasting provisions were mere human commands that were not in harmony with the Holy Writ.

The plagues of Basle (1541) and Berne (1565 and 1577) were followed by days of penitence and fasting, asking God for clemency and mercy.

In 1640, through the impetus of the Reformed cantons, the fast became annual, and the Genevan Revolution of 1792 did not displace it. Jeûne genevois rather took on a patriotic identity, symbolizing Geneva's proud identity and Protestantism.

Modern observance
Today, Jeûne genevois is not widely observed religiously. Banks, post offices, as well as many shops, restaurants and bars close for the day. However, in contrast to Thanksgiving in the U.S., which also falls on a Thursday, a four-day weekend is usually not taken, and most major places of business are open on Friday.