An American exchange student once told me about her first week in a German shared apartment. Her new … (More)
Featured Stories
The Role of Beer in German Society: More Than Just Oktoberfest
Beer is more than a drink in Germany; it is a way of life. While most outsiders associate German beer culture with Oktoberfest, its role runs much deeper. Beer has been a staple of German society for centuries, influencing everything from social gatherings to legal regulations. Whether in small village breweries or massive beer halls, […]
October 6 in German History
October 6 German/American Day in the U.S.A. – the holiday that celebrates German American heritage, commemorates the date in 1683 when 13 German families from Krefeld near the Rhine landed in Philadelphia. These families subsequently founded Germantown, Pennsylvania, the first German settlement in the original thirteen American colonies. Originally celebrated in the nineteenth century, German-American […]
Germany’s Best-Kept Secret: The Culture and Traditions of the Sorbs
Germany is known for its rich cultural tapestry, but few people know about the Sorbs, one of Europe’s oldest and smallest Slavic minorities. Nestled in the regions of Saxony and Brandenburg, the Sorbs have preserved their language, customs, and traditions for over a thousand years. Despite their small numbers, their impact on German culture is […]
Women in Nazi Germany
The Nazis had very firm ideas about the role of women in Germany. Hitler thought that the population of Germany had to increase for the country to become more powerful. Therefore women were forced to give up work and have children. On 5th July 1933 the Law for the Encouragement of Marriage was passed. This […]
Forgotten German Christmas Traditions That Deserve a Comeback
Germany is known for its magical Christmas traditions, from twinkling Weihnachtsmärkte (Christmas markets) to the scent of warm Glühwein (mulled wine). However, many once-beloved customs have faded over time. While Santa Claus and Christmas trees remain, other traditions – some even older than Christkindl – have been lost to history. Germany has a long history […]
German Tongue Twisters
Tongue twisters, or Zungenbrecher, are a fantastic way to train your tongue in German pronunciation. It’s not only language learners who use tongue twisters—even speech therapists use them to help train native speakers, so you’re in good company! Just as English-speakers enjoy a good “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers” challenge every now […]
Bismarck and the Unification of Germany
Liberal hopes for German unification were not met during the politically turbulent 1848-49 period. A Prussian plan for a smaller union was dropped in late 1850 after Austria threatened Prussia with war. Despite this setback, desire for some kind of German unity, either with or without Austria, grew during the 1850s and 1860s. It was […]
How the Black Forest Shaped German Mythology and Culture
The Black Forest (Schwarzwald) is a land of towering pines, misty valleys, and an eerie, almost supernatural atmosphere. Stretching across southwestern Germany, this dense and mysterious woodland has been the setting for some of the most haunting German fairy tales, myths, and folklore. It is no wonder that the Brothers Grimm found inspiration here, weaving […]
How to Play Watten: Bluffing Card Game
Watten is not just a card game – it is a lively, strategic, and sometimes mischievous social event. Deeply rooted in the cultures of Bavaria, South Tyrol, and parts of Austria, Watten is a game where reading people can be as important as reading cards. With elements of bluffing, coded signaling, and bold risk-taking, Watten […]
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Wilhelm Wundt – Father of Psychology
Wilhelm Maximilian Wundt (born on August 16, 1832 – died on August 31, 1920) was a German physician, physiologist and philosopher widely regarded as the "father of experimental psychology". Wundt, … [Read More...]
The Third Reich: Foreign Policy
Once his regime was consolidated, Hitler took little interest in domestic policy, his sole concern being that Germany become sufficiently strong to realize his long-term geopolitical goal of creating … [Read More...]
November 5 in German History
November 5, 1414 On November 5, 1414, the Council of Constance opened in Constance (Konstanz), Germany. The church had fallen into a rather major problem in that two rival popes had been elected … [Read More...]
Religion in Germany
Roman Catholicism, one of Germany's two principal religions, traces its origins there to the eighth-century missionary work of Saint Boniface. In the next centuries, Roman Catholicism made more … [Read More...]
Weißwurst, German White Sausage
A Weißwurst, literally white sausage, is a traditional Bavarian sausage made from minced veal and pork back bacon. The Weißwurst was created in Munich on February 22, 1857, and has since become a very … [Read More...]
Fladenbrot (Flatbread) Recipe
Light, fluffy, and dotted with golden sesame seeds, Fladenbrot - or German-style flatbread - is a staple at Turkish-German bakeries and dinner tables alike. While its roots trace back to Middle … [Read More...]
January 14 in German History
January 14, 1683 Birth of Gottfried Silbermann (1683-1753) in Kleinbobritzsch, Germany. Silbermann's company was the leading builder of spinets, clavichords, harpsichords and organs in the age … [Read More...]
October 15 in German History
October 15, Feast day of St. Pantalus (ca. 304 - ?). St. Pantalus is thought to have been the first bishop of Basel, Switzerland. Available documentation indicates that he was a Martyr. By the 12th … [Read More...]
Metric Conversion Coefficients and Factors
Conversion Widget When you know Devide by To … [Read More...]
Untranslatable German Words
Words the World Wishes It Had Every language has its quirks, but German might just be the master of invention when it comes to words that simply don’t translate. Ever longed for a place you’ve … [Read More...]