372 CHRONOLOGY, 1879-1902 December 29 1895, Summer October 8 October 14 October 26 December 23 1895-1896 1896, January 7 January 28 April 6-8 Einstein withdraws from the Luitpold-Gymnasium and travels by train to Milan, where he joins his family at their home on via Berchet 2. He begins preparation for the entrance examinations to the Eidgenössische Polytechnische Schule (ETH) in Zurich. Einstein vacations with his family at Airolo, south of the Gotthard Pass. The Einstein family moves to via Foscolo 11 in Pavia. Einstein visits friends in Casteggio (near Pavia) and hikes across the Ligurian Alps to visit relatives in Genoa. The entrance examinations of the ETH begin. Einstein is permitted to take the examinations, although he is two years under the regular age of admission. The results of the ETH entrance examinations are announced. Einstein is not admitted and is advised to finish his secondary schooling at the Aargau Kantonsschule in Aarau. Einstein enrolls as a third-year pupil in the Technical School (Gewerbeschule) of the Aargau Kantonsschule, three days after the third quarter has started. While living in Aarau he boards with the Winteler family. The third quarter at the Kantonsschule ends. Einstein spends the Christmas holidays with the Wintelers. "Während dieses Jahres in Aarau kam mir die Frage: Wenn man einer Lichtwelle mit Lichtgeschwindigkeit nachläuft, so würde man ein zeitunabhängiges Wellen- feld vor sich haben. So etwas scheint es aber doch nicht zu geben! Dies war das erste kindliche Gedanken- Experiment, das mit der speziellen Relativitätstheorie zu tun hat" (Einstein 1955, p. 146). The fourth quarter at the Kantonsschule begins. Einstein is released from Württemberg citizenship. He remains stateless for five years. Einstein takes the third-year examinations at the Kantonsschule. The school year ends on 8 April. Einstein spends the intersession with his family in Pavia.