Germany is one of Europe’s most fascinating countries - a place where medieval castles stand beside … (More)
Featured Stories
Muttertag – Mother’s Day in Germany
God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers. Proverb Mother’s day celebration in Germany takes place on the second Sunday of May. However, if this day happens to be the Pentecost (Pfingstsonntag) – the Christian festival for celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit (held on the 7th Sunday following Easter) – then […]
Prinzregententorte – Bavarian Layered Chocolate Cake
Prinzregententorte is a Bavarian torte consisting of several thin layers of sponge cake with chocolate buttercream filling and a topping of apricot jam upon the very last. The exterior is covered in a dark chocolate glaze. Prinzregententorte was created in the honor of Luitpold, the Prince Regent. Luitpold is rather revered by the Bavarians and […]
March 6 in German History
March 6, 1787 Birth of Joseph von Fraunhofer in Straubing, Germany. The physicist, Fraunhofer, was the first to observe the dark lines in the spectrum of the sun, which became known as Fraunhofer lines. In his further work he discovered and charted similar spectral lines in the elements. His work led to the development of […]
Bavarian vs. Prussian: Regional Rivalries and Cultural Identity
Germany is a nation famous for beer, precision engineering, and a strong sense of order – but look closer, and you’ll discover a country stitched together from vastly different cultural regions. Chief among these historic rivalries is the one between Bavaria and Prussia. What began as a political and religious power struggle centuries ago has […]
How did Halloween Come to Germany
How Did Halloween Come to Germany? In the mid-1990s, few in Germany had ever heard of Halloween, and even fewer celebrated it. Now, it’s a €150 million a year industry. The holiday’s success can be traced to a single marketing genius. Most in Germany have never heard of Dieter Tschorn. And even fewer will be […]
November 14 in German History
November 14, 1716 Death of Gottfried Leibniz in Hannover. Leibniz is the inventor of differential and integral calculus. Newton also invented calculus independently at about the same time but Leibniz was the first one to publish. November 14, 1719 Birth of Leopold Mozart in Augsburg, Germany. He was the father of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Leopold […]
The Republikaner and the German People’s Union
On the opposite end of the political spectrum from the Greens are two parties of the far right, the Republikaner (Die Republikaner–REP), with about 23,000 members, and the German People’s Union (Deutsche Volksunion–DVU), with 26,000 members. As of mid- 1995, these two parties had not gained sufficient support to win seats in the Bundestag, but […]
Erbsensuppe mit Würstchen (Split Pea and Sausage Soup)
This is a truly nourishing soup – high in protein, fiber and flavor. It’s also very versatile because not only can you serve it as an appetizer, it also makes a wholesome light meal with a chunk of German rye, linseed or sunflower seed bread. Make it with green split peas and chopped fried bacon. […]
The Evolution of the German Language: A Cultural History
The German language is more than just a way to say “Guten Tag.” It’s a living archive of Europe’s history – shaped by migrations, religious reform, literature, and the demands of political unity. From the tribal speech of wandering Germanic peoples to today’s global reach of Hochdeutsch, the story of German is a story of […]
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September 8 in German History
September 8, 801 St. Ansgar was born on September 8, 801 in Corbie (in modern France). In 823 he became a teacher in the newly founded monastery in Corvey in Westphalia (modern Germany). In 829 he … [Read More...]
Schwarzbrot (Black Bread) Recipe
Dark, dense, and undeniably flavorful, Schwarzbrot - German Black Bread - is the bold cousin of rye and whole grain loaves. Packed with fiber, rich in sour tang, and often baked in brick-like loaves, … [Read More...]
February 20 in German History
February 20, 1751 Birth of Johann Heinrich Voss in Sommersdorf, Germany. A poet, Voss became a leader of the poets' association, the "Göttinger Hain", in Göttingen. Although he wrote poetry of … [Read More...]
December 31 in German History
December 31, 1105 Heinrich V arrests his father Heinrich IV, forces him to abdicate and himself becomes the Holy Roman Emperor (crowned in Rome in 1111). December 31, 1747 Birth of … [Read More...]
The Autobahn: Facts and Myths of Germany’s High-Speed Highways
The Autobahn stands as an emblem of German engineering prowess and efficiency, famous worldwide for sections without speed limits and a reputation for safety and precision. However, numerous myths … [Read More...]
February 9 in German History
February 9, 1834 Birth of Felix Dahn in Hamburg, Germany. Dahn was a professor of law at the universities of Munich, Würzburg and Berlin. In addition to his work in law he wrote histories and … [Read More...]
July 1 in German History
July 1, 1646 Birth of Gottfried Leibniz (1646-1716) in Leipzig. Leibniz was a German mathematician and philosopher. He occupies a prominent place in the history of mathematics and the history … [Read More...]
March 1 in German History
March 1, 1077 Imperial diet removes Heinrich IV as Kaiser and subsequently elects Rudolf von Schwaben. March 1, 1683 Birth of Karoline von Brandenburg-Ansbach in Ansbach, Germany. … [Read More...]
April 8 in German History
April 8, 1586 Death of Martin Chemnitz in Braunschweig, Germany. A leading Protestant theologian, Chemnitz did much to unify the Protestants in the early Lutheran church. April 8, 1695 Birth … [Read More...]
Schweineschnitzel (German Pork Schnitzel)
Schnitzel is the quintessential German dish. Every tourist to Germany has had Schnitzel and most fall in love with it. Some people associate Schnitzel with Wienerschnitzel. “Wienerschnitzel” is … [Read More...]