In 1977, a group of journalists boarded a train in Paris, bound for Reims. There was no concert and … (More)
Featured Stories
October 19 in German History
October 19, 1813 At 2:00 A.M. Napoleon begins his retreat from the Battle of Leipzig, which had started on October 16. At that battle Napoleon had about 185,000 troops and the allies against him (Austria, Prussia, Russia and Sweden had a total of about 320,000.) The Austrian army was commanded by General Karl Phillip Schwarzenberg […]
June 6 in German History
June 6, 1134 Death of St. Norbert von Xanten (ca. 1080 – 1134) St. Norbert was born in about 1080 in Xanten, Germany. He was ordained a priest when he was 35. He gave away all his many properties and dedicated his life to God. In 1119 at the direction of Pope Calixtus II, Norbert […]
August 28 in German History
August 28, 1749 Birth of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in Frankfurt, Germany. Goethe was the greatest of all German writers. Among his works are The Sorrows of Young Werther, Faust, Götz von Berlichingen, Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship, Egmont, and Torquato Tasso. There are frequent references to Goethe’s various sayings and maxims throughout the course of Friedrich […]
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 local customs. These include early morning candle-lit parades, walks in the countryside and egg races. Egg races (Eierlauf) are held in some villages. The customs on egg […]
Vatertag – Father’s Day in Germany
Father’s day in Germany is so much more than gifting a tie. This public holiday is a day off work for everybody, and a chance for men to act like boys. Known as Vatertag (also Männertag), it involves drinking lots of beer, riding a beer bike, and, unfortunately, little responsibility. Germany’s Vatertag coincides with Ascension […]
October 16 in German History
October 16, 1708 Birth of the biologist Albrecht von Haller in Bern, Switzerland. He was a professor of medicine, anatomy, and surgery at the University of Göttingen. He was the first to understand the system of respiration. He demonstrated the function of nerves. His 8-volume Elementa Physiologiae Corporis Humani is a classic in medicine. October […]
German Pumpkin Festivals: Ludwigsburg and Beyond
Every autumn, the baroque gardens of a palace near Stuttgart fill with hundreds of thousands of pumpkins. They’re stacked into towering sculptures, arranged into scenes, and floated in a race across a lake. Nearby, a grower unloads a truck carrying a single pumpkin that weighs close to a metric ton, while a crowd waits to […]
German Nationality Law
On January 1, 2000 a new nationality law came into force in Germany. This law will help foreigners living in Germany to become German citizens. According to the new law, “At the heart of the reform is the supplementing of the traditional principle of descent (jus sanguinis) by the acquisition of nationality by birth. For […]
German Men in Relationships: Myths and Realities
If you’ve ever heard that German men are emotionally distant, painfully punctual, or hopelessly unromantic, you’re not alone. These stereotypes have circulated for years – but how true are they? While some clichés contain a grain of truth, the reality of dating a German man is far more nuanced. German men tend to be respectful, […]
Read More
How to Pack for a Trip to Germany
Avoid disappointment upon your arrival in Germany by knowing the important things in advance. Difficulty Level: Average Time Required: varies Here's How: Take a Foreign-German dictionary … [Read More...]
German Wine Guide: An Exploration of Deutschland’s Finest Vintages
Germany's wine landscape is as complex as it is captivating, with a history as deep and varied as the soils that nurture its vines. With an emphasis on quality, tradition, and a touch of innovation, … [Read More...]
Goulash Soup (Gulaschsuppe)
A perfect hearty dish for cold days! There are two types of Goulash in Bavarian cooking. There’s the thicker stew with bigger meat chunks version ladled over wide egg noodles or rice. There’s also … [Read More...]
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. … [Read More...]
Krampus – the Dark Side of St. Nicholas
Krampus, whose name is derived from the German word Krampen, meaning pickaxe, is said to be the son of Hel in Norse mythology. Originally, Krampus was a purely pagan creation, said to be the son of … [Read More...]
Gerhard Richter
Gerhard Richter - the Famous German Artist Gerhard Richter was born in Dresden in 1932 to a middle class family. He left school after tenth grade and apprenticed as an advertising and stage-set … [Read More...]
Mettbrötchen – Raw Minced Pork Sandwich
When you think of German cuisine, generally two things come to mind: sauerkraut and something including meat. Germans love meat. Minced meat especially. They love it so much, they even eat it raw, … [Read More...]
Real Germans and Religion
By guest author WEISSDORN A Real German is either Catholic or Protestant, unless he/she is not. AMEN. How do you find this out? At the very latest, when you apply for your Tax Card. In Germany you … [Read More...]
July 17 in German History
July 17, 1048 The third German pope, Damasus II, is enthroned in Rome. Originally named Poppo, he was born in Bavaria. He was the Bishop of Brixen in Tyrol when Heinrich III nominated him as pope. … [Read More...]
Essential German Phrases
If there are only a few phrases you are willing to learn before your trip to Germany, it should be these. They could help you out if tight situations. If in a German speaking country the natives will … [Read More...]