For many visitors, one of the first cultural surprises in Germany arrives not at a famous castle or … (More)
Featured Stories
April 17 in German History
April 17, 1521 Martin Luther makes his first appearance before the Diet in Worms. April 17, 1573 Birth of Maximillian I in Munich, Germany. Maximillian was the Duke of Bavaria and involved in the Thirty Years’ War in support of the Catholic cause. Bavaria had fallen into economic chaos when Maximillian came to power in […]
Invited to a German Home? What to Bring and How to Behave
Germany is known for its order, precision, and strong social norms – and nowhere is this more evident than in the home. If you’re invited to a German household, whether for coffee, dinner, or an overnight stay, the unspoken rules are clear, culturally deep, and often surprising to outsiders. What’s the right gift to bring? […]
Social Welfare in Germany: Bismarck’s Lasting Legacy
Today, social welfare systems are taken for granted in much of the world. But did you know that the roots of modern healthcare, pensions, and unemployment insurance began in 19th-century Germany? And it wasn’t created by a liberal reformer—but by the Iron Chancellor himself, Otto von Bismarck. Let’s explore how and why Bismarck built the […]
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 the emperor Otto I. In 975 he became the Archbishop of Mainz. In 975 he was named […]
12 Food-Related German Idioms
These expressions will have your mouth watering! It’s impossible in one article to discuss all the idioms in German that refer to food. But we can look at some of the most common ones with the literal translation and the meaning. 1. Er glaubt, er bekommt eine Extrawurst Literally: He thinks he gets an extra […]
German Reunification: Bored or Happy?
On October 3, Germany celebrates its Unification Day (Tag der Deutschen Einheit). This day back in 1990 brought a happy and a very significant event on the world political scene. The symbol of the Cold War – the Berlin Wall – was torn down, and East Germans could freely face the world. To have a […]
Civil vs. Church Weddings in Germany: What You Need to Know
In Germany, saying “I do” is not as simple as exchanging rings and a kiss in front of family and friends. Legally speaking, a German marriage begins not in a chapel, garden, or ballroom – but at the Standesamt, the local registry office. Only this civil ceremony has legal status. A religious or symbolic ceremony […]
The Best Homemade Currywurst Recipe
If there’s one dish that screams Berlin, it’s Currywurst – a juicy sausage smothered in tangy-sweet curry ketchup and served with a pile of crispy fries or a crusty roll. Simple? Yes. But its place in German street food history is anything but ordinary. This article shows you how to make a classic Currywurst from […]
German Pacifism After 1945: Values and Reality
German pacifism is one of the most distinctive features of modern German identity. Born from the wreckage of war and the moral reckoning that followed, it has shaped law, education, public debate, and foreign policy for three generations. Yet it is not static. From NATO peacekeeping in the 1990s to the Zeitenwende announced in response […]
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Black Forest Cake – Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte
Enjoy this gorgeous cherry-chocolate cake This great-looking Black Forest Cake is originally called Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte. As for me, the name itself is as juicy and delicious as the cake … [Read More...]
Albert Schweitzer – Nobel Peace Prize Winner
When you think of great humanitarians who left an indelible mark on history, Albert Schweitzer - Nobel Peace Prize Winner - stands tall. A towering figure in both the intellectual and humanitarian … [Read More...]
October 21 in German History
October 21, 1660 Birth of Georg Ernst Stahl in Ansbach, Germany. He was one of the first professors in the newly founded school of medicine in Halle in 1694. In the debates of the time Stahl … [Read More...]
The Economic Miracle of Germany
The economic reforms and the new West German system received powerful support from a number of sources: investment funds under the European Recovery Program, more commonly known as the Marshall Plan; … [Read More...]
Schwetzingen Asparagus Salad
Spring in Germany means one thing: asparagus season, or Spargelzeit. Germans are obsessed with asparagus, which is often called the “vegetable of kings” or even “white gold” when the particular white … [Read More...]
Pilzsalat – Traditional German Mushroom Salad Recipe
Earthy, savory, and richly satisfying – Pilzsalat, or German mushroom salad, is a delightful side dish that showcases the full flavor of fresh mushrooms. Lightly marinated with herbs and vinegar, this … [Read More...]
Fish Cakes with Green Sauce
The Friday before Easter is known as Karfreitag or "Sorrowful Friday", and traditionally people eat fish for dinner with their family. Ingredients: 2 potatoes, peeled 1 onion, halved 300 g white … [Read More...]
June 22 in German History
June 22, 1767 Birth of Wilhelm von Humboldt in Potsdam, Germany. Friedrich Wilhelm Christian Karl Ferdinand von Humboldt (22 June 1767 – 8 April 1835) was a Prussian philosopher, government … [Read More...]
German Flag
The flag of Germany was adopted in its present form in 1919. It was readopted with the new constitution of 1949. It is a tricolour, made of three equal horizontal bands coloured black (top), red, and … [Read More...]
December 31 in German History
December 31, 1105 Heinrich V arrests his father Heinrich IV, forces him to abdicate and himself becomes the Holy Roman Emperor (crowned in Rome in 1111). December 31, 1747 Birth of … [Read More...]