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Featured Stories
May 5 in German History
May 5, 1352 Birth of Rupert, the Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, in Amberg, Germany. May 5, 1525 Death of Friedrich III (the Wise), Elector of Saxony in Lochau, Germany. Friederich served as the protector of Martin Luther after the imperial ban of 1521. He housed Luther at the castle named the Wartburg where […]
World War II – Defeat
In June 1944, American, British, and Canadian forces invaded France, driving the Germans back and liberating Paris by August. A German counteroffensive in the Ardennes began in late December was beaten back after heavy fighting in what became known as the Battle of the Bulge. Soviet troops, meanwhile, advanced from the east. Western forces reached […]
The History of Easter in Germany: Pagan Roots & Christian Traditions
Did you know that the word Easter might have Germanic pagan origins? In Germany, Ostern is a holiday filled with traditions that date back centuries, blending ancient fertility rites, Christian beliefs, and folk customs. From the Easter Bunny (Osterhase) to egg-decorating and bonfires, many modern Easter traditions have deep roots in German history. But how […]
November 6 in German History
November 6, 1672 Death of Heinrich Schütz in Dresden, Germany. One of the most talented early German composers, Schütz was given the position of court composer in Dresden. Works by Schütz include Dafne, Musikalische Exequien, and Kleine geistliche Konzerte. November 6, 1771 Birth of Alois Senefelder in Prague, then Imperial city (Reichsstadt) of the Holy […]
Frederick the Great and the Potato
On a warm summer day in the 1740s, Prussian peasants working their fields reportedly witnessed a curious sight – royal guards posted around a royal potato field, ostensibly protecting the precious crops from theft. When bold peasants inevitably “stole” some of these valuable royal potatoes and planted them in their own plots, they unknowingly participated […]
August 29 in German History
August 29, 1523 Death of Ulrich von Hutten near Zürich. Von Hutten was a staunch supporter of Martin Luther, both with his pen as a satirist and with his sword as a knight. In 1522 when German knights rose up against the princes, von Hutten fought with the band of Franz von Sickingen. C. F. […]
November 27 in German History
November 27, 1680 Death of Athanasius Kirchner in Rome (born in Geisa, Germany). Kirchner studied in Fulda, Paderborn, Cologne and Koblenz. In 1628 he was ordained a Jesuit priest in Mainz. In 1634 he moved to Rome and took up the task of assembling and organizing information sent by Jesuit missionaries from all parts of […]
German Power Women that Have Changed the World
German Socialist Luise Zietz proposed the establishment of an annual International Woman’s Day and was seconded by fellow socialist and later communist leader Clara Zetkin, supported by Käte Duncker, although no date was specified at that conference. Delegates (100 women from 17 countries) agreed with the idea as a strategy to promote equal rights including […]
Germany’s Wine Regions: A Traveler’s Guide to Rhine and Mosel Valleys
Germany may be best known for its beer gardens and steins, but for travelers in the know, it’s the wine valleys of the Rhine and Mosel that offer the country’s most enchanting journeys. Here, rows of vines snake up sun-drenched slopes, medieval towns dot the riverbanks, and a crisp glass of Riesling tells the story […]
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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 … [Read More...]
Sesambrötchen (Sesame Rolls) Recipe
Golden, fluffy, and topped with a delicate crunch Sesambrötchen or German Sesame Rolls are a breakfast favorite throughout Germany. Whether picked up fresh from the local Bäckerei or baked at home, … [Read More...]
Swabian Meat Pockets – Maultaschen
Swabian Meat Pockets (Maultaschen) are a typically Swabian specialty - pockets of noodle dough prepared and filled in various ways, e.g. with spinach, onions, eggs, soaked bread, and minced meat. On … [Read More...]
Hochzeitssuppe – German Wedding Soup
Hochzeitssuppe ("wedding soup") is a clear, German soup based on chicken broth, fortified with chicken meat, small meatballs (Fleischklößchen), asparagus heads, noodles and savory egg custard garnish … [Read More...]
Carl von Linde Who Gave the World the Refrigerator
Carl von Linde was a German engineer (born on June 11, 1842 – died on November 16, 1934). Linde was best known for his refrigeration and gas separation technologies. Carl von Linde was the first … [Read More...]
Reinheitsgebot
The Reinheitsgebot, literally "purity order", sometimes called the "German Beer Purity Law" in English, is a series of regulations limiting the ingredients in beer in Germany and the states of the … [Read More...]
Spritzkuchen – German Crullers
Spritzkuchen are fried pastries topped with powdered sugar or cinnamon or lemon icing. They are made of dense dough similar to that of doughnuts, but they are piped from a pastry … [Read More...]
Gerhard Schroeder: “I’m a climber”
On September 27, 1998, Gerhard Schroeder, a "bluff and combative" legislator from Lower Saxony, was chosen a new chancellor of Germany. Mass media consider him to be a "breath of fresh air" after 16 … [Read More...]
Why German Kids Carry a Giant Cone on Their First Day of School
If you happen to stroll past a German elementary school on the first day of classes in August or September, you’ll see an endearing and colorful sight: children dressed in neat outfits, nervous but … [Read More...]
Hermann Hesse
German literature is rich in talented people with extraordinary views and lifestyle. One of them, to our opinion, is worth of special attention - Hermann Hesse. He was born into a family of Pietist … [Read More...]