A friend of mine moved to Munich for a new job, walked into a small café on her first weekend, … (More)
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July 21 in German History
July 21, 1816 Birth of Paul Freiherr von Reuter in Kassel. He was the founder of a news agency, Reuters, which is still in a leading position globally. Born of Jewish heritage, Israel Beer Josaphat, he changed his name in 1845 when he became a Christian. On February 25, 1999, the Reuters News Agency commemorated […]
The Holy Roman Empire
Imagine an empire born from the ghost of Rome, ruled by kings crowned by popes, stitched together from dozens of duchies, cities, and bishoprics. It wasn’t quite holy, or Roman, or an empire – at least not in the way you’d expect. Yet for over 1,000 years, the Holy Roman Empire played a central role […]
The Weimar Republic, 1918-33
The Weimar Republic, proclaimed on November 9, 1918, was born in the throes of military defeat and social revolution. In January 1919, a National Assembly was elected to draft a constitution. The government, composed of members from the assembly, came to be called the Weimar coalition and included the SPD; the German Democratic Party (Deutsche […]
German Idioms – Part 1
German idioms are an integral part of daily communication, adding color and depth to the language. In this first installment, we delve into expressions that might baffle non-native speakers but are second nature to Germans. From “Da liegt der Hund begraben” to “Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof,” explore the literal translations and the stories behind these […]
The Greens in Germany
In the aftermath of the oil crisis of 1973, regional political groups concerned with environmental issues began to put up candidates in communal and regional elections. In 1980 a number of ecological groups, alternative action movements, and various women’s rights organizations banded together on the national level to form the political party that came to […]
German Quotes to Help You Practice Your German
Quotes can make you laugh, cry, or think. They can help you find that tiny bit of truth that kept evading you. In other words, quotes evoke emotion. And when you have an emotional connection to something, you are more likely to remember it. Besides, it’s a fun way to learn new words! “Dumme Gedanken […]
Blumenau Oktoberfest: Brazil’s Biggest Bavarian Bash
When most people think of Oktoberfest, their minds jump to Munich – massive beer tents, cheerful brass bands, and Lederhosen-clad revelers. But the world’s second-largest Oktoberfest isn’t in Germany. It’s in Blumenau, Brazil – a city deep in the southern state of Santa Catarina, where German heritage runs so deep it echoes in every bratwurst, […]
The Rise of the Franks
Imagine standing on the banks of the Rhine River in the 4th century CE. Across the water, Roman forts glimmer in the fading light, but behind you, a new power is stirring—rough warriors with long hair, iron swords, and big ambitions. They’re the Franks. And they’re about to change the course of European history. The […]
German Potato Salad
Ingredients: 4 slices bacon 1 small onion, chopped 1/4 cup vinegar 2 tbsp. water 3 tbsp. sugar 1 tsp. salt 3 cups cooked potatoes, chopped ground black pepper parsley Preparation: Place the potatoes into a pot, and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook for about 10 minutes, or until […]
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Robert Koch
Robert Heinrich Hermann Koch (born on December 11, 1843 in Clausthal – died on May 27, 1910 in Baden-Baden) was a German physician and microbiologist. As the founder of modern bacteriology, he … [Read More...]
August 14 in German History
August 14, 1248 Construction on the Gothic cathedral in Cologne is begun. The cathedral would not be finished until the 19th century on August 14, 1880. Construction of Cologne Cathedral … [Read More...]
Beer Bratwurst with Caramelized Sauerkraut
Ingredients: 1 onion, sliced 1 bottle of bock style beer 450 g fresh bratwurst 2 cups beef broth 2 tbsp butter 3 cups sauerkraut, drained 1/4 cup frozen sweet peas … [Read More...]
German Idioms-2
Related Articles:German Idioms – Part 1: Everyday Sayings ExplainedGerman Idioms – Part 2: More Quirky ExpressionsGerman Idioms – Part 3: Insightful Sayings UncoveredGerman Idioms – Part 4: Final … [Read More...]
Werner Herzog
“Together, I said, we shall boil fire and stop fish.” Werner Herzog (real name Werner H. Stipetic) was born in Munich on September 5, 1942. He grew up in a remote mountain village, where were … [Read More...]
December 8 in German History
December 8, 1672 Death of Johann Christian Baron von Boyneburg in Mainz, Germany. He was a diplomat of the archbishop-elector of Mainz, Philipp von Schönborn. He was a principal negotiator of the … [Read More...]
Dirndl Decoded: The Meaning Behind Germany’s Most Iconic Dress
Few garments carry as much cultural weight - and visual charm - as the Dirndl. What started as a working woman’s outfit in Alpine regions has become a global symbol of Germany’s cultural heritage. … [Read More...]
Germany’s Pagan Past: How Ancient Germanic Tribes Lived and Worshipped
Before Germany became the land of castles, beer halls, and high-speed highways, it was a vast wilderness ruled by fierce Germanic tribes who lived in harmony with nature and worshipped powerful gods. … [Read More...]
Rudolf Epp, the Man Who Loved Painting Cats
Rudolf Epp (July 30, 1834 - August 8, 1910) was a German realist painter, associated with the Munich School. Rudolf Epp was born in 1834 in Eberbach am Neckar, the son of a decorative painter. … [Read More...]
May 20 in German History
May 20, 1860 Birth of the biochemist Eduard Buchner (1860-1917) in Munich. He was given the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1907 for demonstrating that the fermentation of carbohydrates results … [Read More...]