Wednesday, 29th August 2007 (1109 views)

As the annual Swiss picnic takes place in the Gonzales area of California, US citizens of Swiss descent are celebrating the nation's role in the discovery of gold.

According to the Californian, Jean-Francois Lichtenstern, consul general of Switzerland, drew attention to the fact that John Sutter - famous for his association with the California gold rush.

Mr Lichtenstein cited Sutter as integral to Swiss contributions to US cultural life - along with the founders of the Chevrolet car company and the director of the next James Bond film.

"The United States has a lot of Swiss contributions, eh?" Mr Lichtenstein reportedly said.

Born in Germany in 1803 to Swiss parents, John Sutter went to school in Switzerland and was later a member of the Swiss army.

He later became widely regarded as a pivotal figure in the gold rush when the precious metal was discovered in Sutter's Mill by James W Marshall.

 

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