1 7 8 C H R O N O L O G Y , 1 8 9 5 – 1 8 9 6
Oct 26 Enrolls as a third-year pupil in the Technical School of the
Aargau Kantonsschule three days after the third quarter
started. While living in Aarau, he boards with the Winteler
family.
Dec 23 The third quarter at the Kantonsschule ends. Einstein spends
the Christmas holidays with the Wintelers.
1895–1896
“During this year in Aarau, the following question occurred
to me: If one pursues a beam of light with the velocity c
(velocity of light in a vacuum) one should observe such a
beam of light as a spatially oscillatory electromagnetic field
at rest. However, there seems to be no such thing! This was
the first childlike thought experiment, that was concerned
with the special theory of relativity . . .” (Einstein 1955,
p. 146).
1896
Jan 7 The fourth quarter at the Kantonsschule begins.
Jan 28 Released from Württemberg citizenship at his request, with
his father’s consent. He remains stateless for five years.
Apr 6–8 Takes the third-year examinations at the Kantonsschule. The
school year ends on 8 April. Einstein spends spring break
with his family in Pavia.
Apr 29 The first quarter at the Kantonsschule begins. Einstein
enters the fourth and final year.
Jun 24–26 Visits the Säntis massif in northeastern Switzerland during a
school field trip.
Jul 9 The first quarter at the Kantonsschule ends. Einstein spends
the summer holidays with his family in Pavia.
Aug 7 The second quarter at the Kantonsschule begins.
Fall The Einstein family returns to Milan, where they live at via
Bigli 21.
Sep 18, 19, 21 Takes the written Matura (high-school leaving) examina-
tions at the Kantonsschule.
Sep 30 Takes the oral Matura examinations.
Oct 3 Is awarded the Matura certificate.
Oct 5–10 Reports to the director of the ETH for enrollment in section
VI A.