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August 6 in German History
August 6, 1789 Birth of Friedrich List in Reutlingen, Germany. List was an economist who felt that protective tariffs were essential to industrial development. Due to his liberal ideas, he was exiled from Germany in 1825 and came to the United States where he had some influence with his views on tariffs. List’s principal work […]
Max Planck
Max Karl Ernst Ludwig Planck, or simply Max Planck (born in Kiel on April 23, 1858 – died in Göttingen on October 4, 1947) was a German theoretical physicist. Planck made many contributions to theoretical physics, but his fame as a physicist rests primarily on his role as the originator of quantum theory, which revolutionized […]
Why Sauerkraut Is Germany’s Superfood
More Than Just a Pickled Side Dish Crunchy, tangy, and oddly addictive, sauerkraut may look like a humble pile of fermented cabbage – but it’s one of the most powerful foods in the German culinary tradition. For centuries, sauerkraut has been a staple in German kitchens, served alongside sausages, potatoes, and roasts. But what many […]
Foreign Policy in the Wilhelmine Era
Foreign policy in the Wilhelmine Era (1890-1914) turned away from Bismarck’s cautious diplomacy of the 1871-90 period. It was also marked by a shrill aggressiveness. Brusque, clumsy diplomacy was backed by increased armaments production, most notably the creation of a large fleet of battleships capable of challenging the British navy. This new bellicosity alarmed the […]
Main Dishes
Traditional German cuisine is rich and hearty, but it is also extremely delicious. German cuisine also differs widely during the year. Mushrooms, game, vegetables, they all have their season. It is the secret of many German dishes that they are cooked with local and fresh ingredients. Germany is famous for its variety of bread and […]
German Potato Salad
German Potato Salad (Bavarian Kartoffelsalat) is a popular variation which is generally served warm. It is typically more sour in taste and contains pork or bacon. Potato salad from northern Germany, however, is generally based on mayonnaise and quite similar to its US counterpart. Ingredients: *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 4 slices bacon 1 small onion, chopped 1/4 cup […]
December 24 in German History
December 24, 710 Death of St. Irmina von Ören. St. Irmina was born near Trier, Germany in the 8th century. She was a nun in the monastery at Öhren near Trier. She is said to have assisted St. Willibrord in his missionary work. She was the daughter of a noble and wealthy family and donated […]
Sunken Apple Cake (Versunkener Apfelkuchen)
There are countless apple cakes in Germany, but this one, in which a rather plain batter rises up and bakes around sliced apples, has to be one of the most popular. Cakes like these are often called Mittwochskuchen (Wednesday cakes) because they can easily be made during the week when time is short. Ingredients: 3 […]
Healthcare in Germany
The beginnings of the German health care system can be traced back to the Middle Ages, when craftsmen were members of guilds. The guilds provided an early form of health insurance based on the principle of solidarity: All guild members paid into a fund which was then used to help individual members if they had […]
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Why Are Germans So Direct? Understanding Blunt Communication
If you’ve ever spoken with a German, you might have noticed something striking: they are often blunt, straightforward, and to the point. Unlike some cultures that soften criticism or use indirect … [Read More...]
Early History of Germany
What do Roman emperors, ancient tribal alliances, and medieval power plays have in common? They all helped shape what we now know as Germany. The Early History of Germany is a riveting saga of … [Read More...]
March 17 in German History
March 17, 180 The Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius dies while on a military campaign at the Danube. He died at his camp in Vienna (Vindobona). March 17, 1591 Death of Jost Amman in Nürnberg, … [Read More...]
The Franco-Prussian War (1870–71)
The Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71 was a short, brutal, and transformational conflict that reshaped Europe forever. It toppled an empire, birthed another, and brought to a climax the decades-long … [Read More...]
German Card Games
Germany has a strong tradition with respect to card games, as a result the most popular game varies by region. Skat, Doppelkopf and Schafkopf are amongst the most popular, they are very similar to … [Read More...]
Modern Tracht: How Germans Are Redefining Traditional Fashion
To many outsiders, traditional German clothing conjures images of frilly Dirndls, rugged Lederhosen, and steins of beer raised at Oktoberfest. But in Germany, the world of Tracht - traditional dress - … [Read More...]
August 23 in German History
August 23, 1773 Birth of Jakob Friedrich Fries in Barby, Germany. Fries was a professor of philosophy at the Universities of Heidelberg and Jena. In Neue oder anthropologische Kritik der Vernunft … [Read More...]
Brötchen (Crusty German Rolls)
Brötchen is a small crusty roll that is cherished in Germany. It is also perfect for a sandwich or as a roll for a bratwurst. "Kipfen - Wecken - Semmel - Weggli - Schrippe - Feierabend Brötchen - … [Read More...]
Donauwelle Kuchen
Donauwelle Kuchen (Danube Wave Cake) is an incredible dessert with layers of vanilla and chocolate cake, cherries, German buttercream, and ganache. After the cake is baked and cooled off a chocolate … [Read More...]
German Chocolate Cake – 3
Ingredients: *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 2 cups flour 1 cup margarine or butter, softened 1 package of German Chocolate 2 cups sugar 1/2 cup water 1 tsp vanilla 1 tsp baking … [Read More...]