When most people think of Oktoberfest, one image springs to mind: overflowing beer steins in massive … (More)
Featured Stories
How to Play Schwimmen (31)
Schwimmen, also known as 31, is one of Germany’s most popular quick-play card games. Easy to learn and full of suspense, Schwimmen is a staple at family gatherings, pubs, and youth camps. Combining simple rules with just enough strategy and luck, Schwimmen offers players a fast-paced race to reach the magic number: 31. If you […]
December 30 in German History
December 30, 1777 Death of Maximilian III Joseph in Munich, Germany. Maximilian was the son of the Holy Roman Emperor, Karl VII. He was the Elector (Holy Roman Empire) of Bavaria. He gained his position in Bavaria by the Peace of Fussen of April 22, 1745. He was a progressive and enlightened ruler who did […]
September 20 in German History
September 20, 1863 Death of Jakob Grimm in Berlin, Germany. Along with his brother Wilhelm he is known most for the Grimms’ fairy tales, published as Kinder- und Hausmärchen. (1812-1822). But the brothers did a huge amount of work which is equally important but less known. Between 1816-18 they published Deutsche Sagen, a collection of […]
October 9 in German History
October 9, 1047 Death of Suidiger (Pope Clement II), the second German pope. Suidiger had been the bishop of Bamberg. He was installed as pope by the German king, Heinrich III on December 25, 1046. There had been three rivals claiming the office of pope when Heinrich III arrived in Rome. He deposed all three […]
How to Cook Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread cookies are traditionally made in Germany for Christmas. Cook them anytime, and let some Christmas into the house right now! Difficulty Level: Average Time Required: 30 min Here’s How: Heat 3/4 cup honey, 3/8 cup sugar and 2 tbsp butter in a saucepan until smooth. Stir in ginger, black pepper, ground cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander and nutmeg (a […]
White Asparagus Soup
Ingredients: 1/2 cup chopped onion (1 small) 2 tablespoons butter 1 1/2 -2 lbs white asparagus, peeled and cut into 2 inch pieces, heads reserved 6 cups broth, either chicken or vegetable 1/2 cup half and half cream salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste dry white wine, to taste parsley or rosemary, for garnish […]
Kartoffelklöße (German Potato Dumplings)
Few dishes capture the soul of German comfort food like Kartoffelklöße, also known as German potato dumplings. These round, hearty delights are a cornerstone of traditional German cuisine – served at festive meals, Sunday roasts, and cozy family dinners. With a perfectly pillowy texture and subtle, earthy flavor, Kartoffelklöße are the perfect companion to rich […]
19th Century and German Unification
In 1800, there was no Germany – at least not in the form we know today. Instead, the region was a patchwork of over 300 kingdoms, duchies, and free cities, all loosely connected by language but divided by law, custom, and ruler. Yet by 1871, these pieces had fused into one of the most powerful […]
October 29 in German History
October 29, 1268 Death of Konradin (Konrad der jüngere) in Naples, Italy (born in Wolfstein, Germany). The Swabian, Konradin, who held the title “king of the Romans” was the last of the Hohenstaufen dynasty. His downfall came in a conflict with the Frenchman, Charles of Anjou. After losing in battle and being captured, he was […]
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Foreign Military Relations in Germany
Since the end of World War II, the military forces of six NATO Allies have been deployed in West Germany--first as occupation troops. Soviet troops were stationed in East Germany as part of the Warsaw … [Read More...]
April 10 in German History
April 10, 1727 Birth of Samuel Heinicke (1727-1790) in Nautschütz, Germany. Heinicke became interested in the problems of the deaf after reading Surdus loquens, a book in which it was described … [Read More...]
May 31 in German History
May 31, 1740 Death of Frederich Wilhelm I in Potsdam, Germany. Friedrich Wilhelm was the second king of Prussia. His policies developed Prussia into an efficient and powerful state. He married the … [Read More...]
Weimar – The City of Goethe and Bauhaus
Weimar is a city in the federal state of Thuringia, Germany. The city was a focal point of the German Enlightenment and home of the leading characters of the literary genre of Weimar Classicism, the … [Read More...]
How to Cook Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread cookies are traditionally made in Germany for Christmas. Cook them anytime, and let some Christmas into the house right now! Difficulty … [Read More...]
December 18 in German History
December 18, 1844 Birth of Ludwig Josef Brentano in Aschaffenburg, Germany. His book Die Arbeitergilden der Gegenwart became an authoritative source on trade unions. He served as professor of … [Read More...]
Sunken Apple Cake (Versunkener Apfelkuchen)
There are countless apple cakes in Germany, but this one, in which a rather plain batter rises up and bakes around sliced apples, has to be one of the most popular. Cakes like these are often called … [Read More...]
Augustusburg castle – the German Heritage
The Augustusburg castle located in North Rhine-Westphalia near Cologne was valued by UNESCO as the world heritage. This decision was made in 1984 and drew attention to the castle’s eventful and rich … [Read More...]
Black Forest Chicken Cordon Bleu
Ingredients: 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, butterflied 1/4 tsp paprika 1/2 tsp granulated garlic 1/4 tsp each sea salt and freshly ground whole black peppercorns 4 slices German Limburger … [Read More...]
Bratwurst Sauerkraut Casserole with Pretzels
If you're looking for a dish that tastes like Oktoberfest in a casserole dish, this is it. The German Bratwurst Sauerkraut Casserole with Pretzels combines three of Germany's most iconic flavors - … [Read More...]