For many visitors, one of the first cultural surprises in Germany arrives not at a famous castle or … (More)
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January 29 in German History
January 29, 1499 Birth of Katharina von Bora (1499-1552), wife of Martin Luther, in Lippendorf, Neukieritzsch, Germany. “Die Lutherin”, as she was referred to, was sent at the age of 5 to the Benedictine cloister in Brehna in 1504 for education. At the age of 9 she moved to the Cistercian monastery Marienthron (Mary’s Throne) […]
November 28 in German History
November 28, 1794 Death of Friedrich von Steuben in Remsen, New York (born in Magdeburg, Germany). Steuben was a Prussian officer who was induced by Benjamin Franklin to come to America on the side of the rebelling colonies. Arriving in 1777 he was placed in charge of the troops at Valley Forge. He retrained the […]
January 12 in German History
January 12, 1519 Death of Maximilian I in Wels, Austria. Maximilian was the Archduke of Austria, the German king and the Holy Roman Emperor. He did much to expand and consolidate the Habsburg holdings. He nearly became Pope. The Pope, Julius, was very ill and a schismatic Council of Pisa offered Maximilian the position as […]
Speckeier – Eggs with Bacon
Speckeier are scrambled eggs with bacon. It’s a perfect dish for Vesper – German snack time in-between main meals (Zwischenmahlzeit). A Zwischenmahlzeit is also referred to as Brotzeit, Vesper or Zweites Frühstück for adults. After all, snacks aren’t just for children! The English word “snack” is also used, as is Imbiss, although these refer more […]
Riesling: The Crown Jewel of German Viticulture
In the verdant valleys and along the sloping hills of Germany’s countryside, there thrives a grape that has come to symbolize the pinnacle of the nation’s viticultural heritage. Riesling, with its vibrant acidity and kaleidoscope of flavors, is not merely a wine; it is a narrative of place, tradition, and the ceaseless pursuit of quality […]
Exploring the Rich History of Advent Calendars in Germany
The tradition of counting down to Christmas with an Advent calendar is a cherished ritual for many, especially in Germany where it originated. This article explores the rich history of Advent calendars in Germany, tracing their evolution from simple chalk lines to the elaborate and diverse forms we see today. Understanding the origins and cultural […]
Planned Economy in GDR
In the GDR, as in the other new “people’s republics,” the authorities’ goal of abolishing private property and every trace of capitalism was to be implemented in several steps. By taking possession of all resources, as well as of the means of production and distribution, the socialist state hoped to be able to compete successfully […]
How to Get German Citizenship
Getting German Citizenship is one of the top questions we get so we have decided to summarize the information for those who are willing to get started. The German Foreign Office quite ominously warns on its website that “German citizenship law is relatively complicated” and that they can only answer “the issues which currently dominate […]
Join the Love Republic!
Loveparade’2001 will be different from the previous eleven Parades because it won’t take place on the second Saturday of July as it used to be. According to the local authorities’ statement made in the beginning of April, July 14 has already been reserved by the Greens since September’2000 for a meeting. There is an opinion […]
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Helmut Schmidt
Following Brandt's resignation in May 1974, the SPD-FDP coalition partners unanimously agreed that Minister of Finance Helmut Schmidt should head the new government. At fifty-five, Helmut Schmidt … [Read More...]
Roasted New Potatoes and Asparagus
Ingredients: 1 bunch fresh asparagus, with thick stalks, ends trimmed, cut in 1 1/2 – 2 inch pieces 400-800 g new potatoes, cut in half or thirds (the larger ones) 3 cloves garlic, sliced 1 … [Read More...]
February 23 in German History
February 23, 1011 Death of St. Willigis von Mainz ( ? – 1011) St. Willigis was born to the family of a wagon builder in a village in Lower Saxony, Germany. He became the chancellor of Germany under … [Read More...]
Otto von Bismarck: The Iron Chancellor Who Forged a Nation
Imagine a single man so powerful and cunning that he could bend the fate of an entire continent. A political chessmaster who engineered wars, shaped ideologies, and unified a fragmented collection of … [Read More...]
Recycling in Germany: A Cultural Obsession or Environmental Success?
Visitors to Germany are often shocked by what seems like an obsession with separating garbage. Paper in one bin. Plastics in another. Food waste in a third. Then there’s the glass - sorted by color. … [Read More...]
The Death of the Hindenburg: The Catastrophe That Ended the Airship Era
On the evening of May 6, 1937, the largest aircraft ever to fly approached its mooring mast at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey, completing what should have been a routine transatlantic … [Read More...]
What’s in a Mettbrötchen? Ingredients and Regional Tips
Mettbrötchen may be one of the simplest dishes in German cuisine – raw minced pork on a roll – but simplicity doesn’t mean uniformity. Across Germany, subtle differences in ingredients, preparation, … [Read More...]
Mosel Magic: Germany’s Most Scenic River for White Wine Lovers
The Mosel Valley isn’t just Germany’s most scenic wine region - it’s one of the most breathtaking in all of Europe. With its steep slate vineyards, riverside villages frozen in time, and … [Read More...]
October 30 in German History
October 30, 1466 Death of Johann Fust, a financial backer of Johannes Gutenberg. October 30, 1882 Birth of Günther von Kluge in Posen, Germany (now Poland). Kluge was a WWII German general … [Read More...]
January 6 in German History
January 6 Three Kings Day (Dreikönigentag) January 6, 1486 Birth of Martin Agricola (pseudonym of Martin Sore) in Schwiebus (now in Poland). He was a German music scholar and composer in … [Read More...]