German Culture

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February 25 in German History

February 25 Feast Day of St. Walpurgis (ca. 710-779) (Name also spelled Walpurga and Walburga) St. Walpurgis was the daughter of St. Boniface's sister. In about 748 she was called by St. Boniface to assist in the missionary effort in Germany. In 761 she became the abbess of the Benedictine monastery in Heidenheim. She is entombed in Eichstätt in … [Read more...]

February 24 in German History

February 24, 1557 Birth of Matthias, Holy Roman Emperor, in Vienna, Austria. Matthias was the Habsburg ruler of the empire at the time that the 30 Years' War started (1618). February 24, 1622 Birth of Johann Clauberg in Solingen, Germany. Clauberg was a philosopher who became the leading German follower of Rene Descartes. He was a … [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 the emperor Otto I. In 975 he became the Archbishop of Mainz. In 975 he was named the Primate of Germany by Pope Benedict VII. It was he who crowned … [Read more...]

Berlin – the City of Great Changes

All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin. And therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words "Ich bin ein Berliner." -- President John F. Kennedy, West Berlin, 1963 Berlin is the capital and the largest city of Germany. Berlin was first the capital of Prussia, and then the capital of Germany between 1871 and 1945, … [Read more...]

Bremen – the City of the World-Famous Fairytale Musicians

The City Municipality of Bremen is a Hanseatic city in northwestern Germany. Bremen used to be a very important marketplace located on Weser river which had port with free exit to the North Sea and connections with the Rhine River. The most influential historical events: 787 - the foundation of the city by Charlemagne 965 - the city … [Read more...]

Augustusburg castle – the German Heritage

The Augustusburg castle located in North Rhine-Westphalia near Cologne was valued by UNESCO as the world heritage. This decision was made in 1984 and drew attention to the castle’s eventful and rich history. The history of the Augustusburg castle is worth studying, and its architecture, construction, interior and surroundings serve as colorful … [Read more...]

Tasty Summer Treat – Cherry Dessert

German cuisine is famous for its substantial and somewhat "heavy" dishes - Bratwurst, Sauerbraten, Schnitzel, etc. However there is a special offer for hot summer days: light and delicious German desserts. These are absolutely gorgeous dishes consisting of fruit, berries, cream, sugar, nuts, raisins and whatever you want to add in order to make the … [Read more...]

February 22 in German History

February 22, 1455 Birth of Johannes Reuchlin in Pforzheim, Germany. Reuchlin was a scholar of ancient Greek and Latin who also developed a keen interest in Hebrew language and literature. In 1509 the Cologne Dominican, Johannes Pfefferkorn, persuaded the emperor to order the destruction of Hebrew books because they were a danger to Christianity. … [Read more...]

February 21 in German History

February 21, 1866 Birth of August von Wassermann (1866-1925) in Bamberg, Germany. Wassermann was the bacteriologist who discovered the blood-serum test for syphilis, the Wassermann test. He worked at the Robert Koch Institute of Infectious Diseases in Berlin. February 21, 1867 Birth of Otto Hermann Kahn (1867-1934) in Mannheim, … [Read more...]

February 20 in German History

February 20, 1751 Birth of Johann Heinrich Voss in Sommersdorf, Germany. A poet, Voss became a leader of the poets' association, the "Göttinger Hain", in Göttingen. Although he wrote poetry of merit, he is perhaps most remembered for his translations of the Iliad and the Odyssey into German. February 20, 1755 Birth of Hans Reinhard in … [Read more...]