If you sit down for breakfast at a German guesthouse expecting pancakes or a stack of cereal boxes, … (More)
Featured Stories
July 29 in German History
July 29, 1605 Birth of Simon Dach in Memel, Prussia (now Lithuania). Dach was one of the outstanding German Baroque poets. July 29, 1889 Birth of Ernst Reuter in Apenrade, Germany. Reuter was the Mayor of West Berlin during the time of Cold War (1948-1953). Memorable is Reuter’s speech in front of the burned-out Reichstag […]
Polterabend: Why Germans Smash Plates Before the Wedding
Imagine standing in a quiet German courtyard on a Friday evening. Laughter rings out, plates shatter against the pavement, and the future bride and groom are down on their knees, sweeping up the debris – together. This is no accident. This is the Polterabend, one of Germany’s most spirited and symbolic wedding traditions. And yes […]
December 13 in German History
December 13, 1769 Death of the Enlightenment writer, Christian Furchtegott Gellert, in Leipzig. December 13, 1769 Immanuel Kant is offered a position at the University of Erlangen. Immanuel Kant was serving as a Privatdozent (teaching for student fees) at the University of Konigsberg when the professorship at Erlangen was offered. He tentatively accepted but later […]
The Evolution of the German Language: From Old High German to Modern Dialects
This article explores the evolution of the German language, tracing its development from its early roots to the diverse regional dialects spoken today. Along the way, we will examine how historical milestones such as Martin Luther’s Bible translation, the printing press, and German unification helped shape modern German. The German language has evolved dramatically over […]
The History of Traditional German Clothing
When you picture traditional German clothing, your mind likely conjures images of women twirling in colorful dirndls and men in sturdy leather shorts raising beer steins at Oktoberfest. While these iconic garments have become symbols of German culture worldwide, the true history of traditional German clothing runs far deeper than festive celebrations – it’s a […]
The Mass Media in Germany
Until 1990 Germany was a divided country. The media system of the former GDR was highly centralized and worked under the control of the Communist Party. It disappeared during the process of unification, but patterns of media usage still differ between East and West. Today, the major media production centers are located in the “old” […]
Nusszopf – German Nut Braid
Nusszopf is a classic German cake with hazelnut filling. It is made out of braided yeast dough and filled with almonds or hazelnuts. It’s a wonderful coffee time idea. Ingredients: Dough 4 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 tsp. salt 42g fresh yeast 1 cup lukewarm milk 1 egg 1/3 cup butter at room […]
October 31 in German History
October 31, 994 Death of St. Wolfgang (924 – 994) St. Wolfgang was born in Pfullingen, Germany (in the modern state of Baden-Württemberg) in 924 to a noble family. He studied at the monastic school of Reichenau and the cathedral school of Würzburg. In 956 he became a teacher at the cathedral school of Trier. […]
Reinheitsgebot
The Reinheitsgebot, literally “purity order”, sometimes called the “German Beer Purity Law” in English, is a series of regulations limiting the ingredients in beer in Germany and the states of the former Holy Roman Empire. The best-known version of the law was adopted in Bavaria in 1516, but similar regulations predate the Bavarian order, and […]
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Postwar Political Parties in Germany and Democratization
The reintroduction of democratic political parties in Germany was one of the primary concerns of the Allies during the final phase of the war. The Soviet authorities were the first to reestablish … [Read More...]
October 10 in German History
October 10, 1713 Birth of Johann Krebs in Buttelstedt, Germany. He was a composer of organ music. He was a pupil of Johann Sebastian Bach. October 10, 1791 Death of Christian Friedrich Daniel … [Read More...]
May 5 in German History
May 5, 1352 Birth of Rupert, the Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, in Amberg, Germany. May 5, 1525 Death of Friedrich III (the Wise), Elector of Saxony in Lochau, Germany. Friederich … [Read More...]
German Flag Origin
The German flag is a striking symbol of the country's history, embodying a story that spans centuries. The flag's black, red, and gold stripes represent not only the nation but also the journey of its … [Read More...]
Kaiser Wilhelm I: The First Emperor of a United Germany
Kaiser Wilhelm I might not be as flashy as Bismarck or as controversial as his grandson Wilhelm II, but without him, there would be no German Empire. As the first Emperor of a united Germany, Wilhelm … [Read More...]
German-American Day: Tercentenary History of Friendship
October 6 is a German-American Day. In 2015 Americans of German descent celebrate the 332th anniversary of their ancestors' arrival in Philadelphia Harbor. Back in 1683 a group of immigrants from … [Read More...]
Frühschoppen
Frühschoppen might sound like a much-loved female activity (namely, shopping) reserved for early during the day, but in fact it's not. It is a traditional, German and Austrian equivalent of brunch, … [Read More...]
Engineering the Autobahn: Innovations in Highway Construction
The Autobahn is renowned not only for its expansive network and high-speed limits but also for its exceptional engineering. This article examines the cutting-edge construction techniques and materials … [Read More...]
January 7 in German History
January 7, 1742 Birth of the enlightenment philosopher, Christian Garve. Garve was a professor at the University of Leipzig. He was noted as a moral philosopher and the translator to German of … [Read More...]
Easter Monday – Ostermontag
Easter Monday (Ostermontag) is an annual public holiday in Germany that follows Easter Sunday, which remembers Jesus Christ's resurrection, according to Christian belief. It is observed with various … [Read More...]