 "Jeûne genevois" later became a patriotic holiday, symbolizing both Geneva's proud identity and its Protestantism.By the beginning of the Helvetic Republic folklore had thoroughly linked "Jeûne genevois" with the widely remembered St. Bartholomew's Day massacre and fasting in Geneva as the slaughter of whole Protestant families carried on throughout France.In 1831 the Federal Diet decreed a "Jeûne Fédéral" (federal fast) for all cantons, fixing the date at 8 September.