December 11, 1748 Death of Ewald von Kleist. On 11 October 1745 he independently invented the Kleistian jar which could store electricity in large quantities. He communicated this discovery to a group of Berlin scientists in late 1745, and the news was transferred in a confused form to Leyden University where it was further investigated. … [Read more...]
December 10 in German History
December 10, 1520 Martin Luther takes a papal bull which threatens to excommunicate him and publicly burns it in front of the Elster Gate in Wittenberg. December 10, 1872 Birth of Ludwig Klages in Hannover, Germany. Klages was a professor at the University of Munich in natural sciences. He was the inventor of handwriting analysis. He … [Read more...]
December 9 in German History
December 9, 1437 Death of Sigismund, the Holy Roman Emperor from 1433-1437, in Znojmo, Bohemia (born near Nürnberg, Germany). He was the last emperor of the House of Luxembourg. In 1396 he assembled and led an army against the Turks, who had penetrated as far as Serbia, but he was badly defeated in the campaign. It was Sigismund who invited Jan … [Read more...]
Christ Child – Christkind
In some parts of Germany, mainly the south east of the country, children write to the Christkind/Christkindl asking for presents. The letters to the Christkind are decorated with sugar glued to the envelope to make them sparkly and attractive to look at. Children leave the letters on the windowsill at the beginning of or during Advent. "Das … [Read more...]
German Christmas Markets – Christmas Shopping in Germany
There is nothing so awe-inspiring in the pre-Christmas time as visiting Christkindlmarkt, the German Christmas market. Every town has its own little "Christkindlmarkt", which is a market-fest, where people gather to enjoy the Christmas time. These Christmas markets offer baked goods, sweets and toys and feature local and regional specialties. … [Read more...]
Advent in Germany – Four Weeks Left till Christmas!
In Germany the time from December 1st to December 24th is called "Adventszeit", which means the time before Christmas Eve. Parents give their children Advent calendars that count down the days. Every day in December they can open one of the doors and receive either a small chocolate in the shape of a star, a tree, or a little toy. These calendars … [Read more...]
German Christmas tree – Tannenbaum
The first appearance of a Christmas tree - Tannenbaum - was recorded in 1605 in Strasburg, and the record said that "...people set up Christmas trees in their rooms...". Another record of that time coming from Ammerschweier, said that "... no burgher shall have for Christmas more than one bush of more than eight shoes' length...". The decorations … [Read more...]
Christmas Celebration in Germany
Christmas is coming, bright and sparkling, and we put together several articles that make up a collection of festive stories. In this article we will get acquainted with German Christmas traditions and customs, history of Christmas tree, traditional German Christmas markets, Advent - Christmas calendar that originated from Germany, and Christ Child … [Read more...]
Three Kings and Epiphany in Germany
The Greek word "Epiphanias" means "uprise, appearance", i.e. appearance of the Lord which was celebrated in the early Christian centuries on January 6. In the 4th century this holiday was shifted to December 25, and January 6 obtained the name of The Three Kings (the "Wise Men," the Magi), or simply Twelfth Day. According to an old legend based on … [Read more...]
St. Thomas’ Day in Germany
The Day of St. Thomas, celebrated on December 21, is also the day of the winter solstice, the year's longest night and shortest day. St. Thomas is commemorated on this day because he was the last one of the apostles to become convinced of Jesus' resurrection -- he was the one who for the longest time remained in the "night of unbelief and doubt." … [Read more...]
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