Well in the 17th century Geneva was a protestant stronghold and an independant republic. The duc of Savoy (an area close to Geneva) decided to conquer Geneva and to do so attacked on the darkest night of the year using ladders to climb over the walls of the town. Ensued a battle were the Geneva defended there town and actually won. One event of the night was when an old lady (La Mère Royaume) threw a pot of soup she was making by her window and killed one of the attacking soldiers. We celebrate each year by breaking a chocolate pot, eating soup and dressing up.