For many visitors, one of the first cultural surprises in Germany arrives not at a famous castle or … (More)
Featured Stories
July 10 in German History
July 10, 1839 Birth of Adolphus Busch near Mainz, Germany. He immigrated to the United States and co-founded a brewery, Anheuser-Busch (makers of Budweiser today). July 10, 1846 Birth of Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche (1846-1935) in Röcken, Germany. She was the sister of the philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche. She rewrote and distorted much of his philosophy after his […]
April 6 in German History
April 6, 912 Death of Bl. Notker Babulus (der Stammler)(ca. 840 – 912). Blessed Notker was born near St. Gallen, Switzerland in about 840. He studied at the school of the Monastery of St. Gallen and became a monk there. He wrote a large number of works during his lifetime as a teacher at the […]
August 24 in German History
August 24-27, 410 Alaric, the leader of the Visigoths takes and plunders Rome. This was one of the final blows which would bring about the end of the Roman Empire. The Visigoths were one of the east Germanic tribes. There were three Germanic groupings: north Germanic, west Germanic and east Germanic (Goths). Modern Germans descend […]
Aachen Cathedral
Aachen Cathedral was included into UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978 and got one of the top sites of the list due its unique history enriched by legends and myths and luxurious treasures kept in the cathedral. Construction of this palatine chapel, with its octagonal basilica and cupola, began c. 790–800 under the Emperor Charlemagne. […]
February 13 in German History
February 13 Feast Day of St. Jordan von Sachen (ca. 1200-1237) Jordan was born in ca. 1200 near Osnabrück, Germany. He followed St. Dominic (the founder of the Dominican order) as the general of the order. He held that office from 1222-1237. He was a very talented administrator and led the order in establishing its […]
August 3 in German History
August 3, 1872 Death of Karl August Devrient in Hannover, Germany. Devrient was a heroic actor who achieved fame on the stage of Hannover. Some of his noted roles include Faust, King Lear and Wallenstein. August 3, 1902 Birth of Martin Noth in Dresden, Germany. A biblical scholar, Noth was an expert in the early […]
German Blitz Torte
This German Blitz Torte recipe is such a quick and easy cake to make. Even though this recipe looks long and complicated, it isn’t. Blitz means lightning or with lightning speed, and that’s what this cake is – speedy to make. For something even more special, add strawberries or other berries to the filling. Decorate […]
Nazi and Bauhaus School
The end of Bauhaus The Nazi majority of Dessau suspended the seat of learning. Paul Schultze-Naumburg was the architect that they sent into the school to re-establish pure German art instead of the “cosmopolitan rubbish” the Bauhaus artists were doing. He described Bauhaus furniture as Kisten, or boxes. Bauhaus was even as private institution so […]
West Germany and the Community of Nations
At the end of World War II, Germany was a defeated nation occupied by foreign powers. It had lost its national sovereignty, and the world saw it as a pariah, guilty of crimes without parallel in history. In addition to rebuilding their shattered country in a physical sense, most leading German politicians saw their main […]
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The History of the German Pretzel
A Twist That Tells a Story With its golden crust, chewy interior, and unmistakable knotted shape, the German pretzel (Brezel) is one of the most iconic baked goods in the world. But behind its … [Read More...]
Meet German Prepositions!
Prepositions are words that link a noun to the rest of the sentence. They usually tell you about time, place and direction. Examples of English prepositions include on, out, under, from, with, about … [Read More...]
The Social Democratic-Free Democratic Coalition, 1969-82 and Willy Brandt
In the West German Bundestag elections of September 1969, the CDU/CSU remained the largest political group, holding eighteen more seats than the SPD. With the help of the FDP, which had earlier … [Read More...]
April 13 in German History
April 13, 1111 Heinrich V is crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire by the Pope in Rome. He ruled starting from 1111 till 1125 and was the fourth and last ruler of the Salian dynasty. Henry's … [Read More...]
Quiet Hours in Germany: How Noise Laws Shape Daily Life
Imagine it’s 10:15 p.m. You’ve just returned home from work and want to vacuum quickly or throw in a load of laundry. If you’re in Germany, think again. That low hum of the vacuum cleaner might be met … [Read More...]
Almond Waffles with Raspberry Cream (Mandelwaffeln mit Himbeercreme)
Ingredients: 1 package vanilla sugar 50g fresh fresh raspberries 5 tablespoons raspberry jam 1-2 tablespoons raspberry syrup 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar 2/3 lb. (300g) Quark 3/4 cup … [Read More...]
The Salian Dynasty, 1024-1125 – Medieval Germany
After the death of the last Saxon king in 1024, the crown passed to the Salians, a Frankish tribe. The four Salian kings--Conrad II, Henry III, Henry IV, and Henry V--who ruled Germany as kings from … [Read More...]
Why Germans Eat Green Food on Maundy Thursday (Gründonnerstag)
Easter in Germany isn’t just about egg hunts and chocolate bunnies—it’s also about food traditions. One of the most intriguing customs is eating green foods on Maundy Thursday, or Gründonnerstag. If … [Read More...]
The Grimms’ Brothers Fairy Tales: Timeless Magic in Storytelling
From enchanting princesses asleep in faraway castles to mischievous creatures causing mayhem, the fairy tales penned by the Grimms' Brothers have cast a spell over generations. Their cultural legacy … [Read More...]
Richard Kruspe – Father and Lead-Guitarist of Rammstein
Richard Z. Kruspe was born in Wittenberge, East Germany on June 24, 1967. He has two older sisters and brother. His parents divorced when he was young.His mother remarried, but he did not get along … [Read More...]