For many visitors, one of the first cultural surprises in Germany arrives not at a famous castle or … (More)
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The History of the German Language
German is one of the largest groups of Indo-Germanic languages. It is used as the official language of Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein, and is a co-official language in Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the European Union.. The history of the language begins in the Early Middle Ages with the High German consonant shift. During the migration […]
June 15 in German History
June 15, 1520 The Roman Pope, Leo X, threatens to ex-communicate Martin Luther. June 15, 1866 Prussia attacks Austria as a result of a dispute over Schleswig-Holstein. Prussia won the war by the 1st of July at the Battle of Königsgrätz. June 15, 1890 Birth of Georg Wüst (1890-1977) in Posen, Germany (now Poland). Wüst […]
Wedding Traditions in Germany: From Sawing Logs to Polterabend
German weddings are equal parts romance, ritual, and rulebook. They are where centuries-old traditions meet modern sensibilities – where porcelain gets smashed, logs are sawed, shoes are bought with pennies, and guests raise their glasses not just for the couple, but for order, unity, and a good sense of humor. But these customs aren’t just […]
March 18 in German History
March 18, 1690 Birth of Christian Goldbach (1690-1764) in Königsberg, Germany (now in Russia). A mathematician, Goldbach accomplished significant work in the theory of curves, infinite series and the integration of differential equations. But he is most known for the development of a number theory now called “Goldbach’s conjecture”. March 18, 1733 Birth of Friedrich […]
Schloss Moritzburg – a Beautiful Baroque Castle
Moritzburg Castle is one of the most impressive baroque palaces in central Europe. Reached via a tree-lined avenue, it is situated on an island in the middle of a lake. After visiting the palace, you can enjoy a romantic stroll to the enchanting Fasanenschlösschen (little pheasant castle) built in the rococo style. Moritzburg Castle (Schloss […]
Osternest-Kekse – Traditional German Easter Nest Cookies Recipe
Easter in Germany is filled with delicious baked treats, and Osternest-Kekse are among the most delightful. These buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are shaped into tiny nests, making them a charming addition to Easter brunch tables and festive gatherings. Traditionally, they are filled with colorful chocolate eggs, jam, or lemon curd, creating a beautiful and delicious Easter […]
April 28 in German History
April 28, 1849 On this date the Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm rejected the title of “Kaiser” as offered to him by the Frankfurt Parliament a month before. He also rejected the new constitution of the parliament, finding it to be subversive. April 28, 1853 Death of Ludwig Tieck in Berlin, a leading writer and theorist […]
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 soda 1 cup buttermilk 1/4 tsp salt 4 egg whites 4 egg yolks Cooking: *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Preheat oven to 200 degrees C. Then line the bottom of a […]
Real Germans and Political Correctness
Real Germans and Political Correctness, Multi-Culturalism, Private and Group Discussions By guest author WEISSDORN Political Correctness Real Germans are the inventors of Political Correctness. If you think this is something fashionable they came up with in the 90’s in the U.S.- WRONG! Germany has been practicing Political Correctness with a fervor since about 1965, and […]
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The Empire Under the Early Habsburgs – Medieval Germany
The Great Interregnum ended in 1273 with the election of Rudolf of Habsburg as king-emperor. After the interregnum period, Germany's emperors came from three powerful dynastic houses: Luxemburg (in … [Read More...]
Heidelberg
Heidelberg is a city situated on the river Neckar in south-west Germany. The fifth-largest town in the State of Baden-Württemberg after Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Mannheim and Freiburg im Breisgau, … [Read More...]
German Coffee Culture: Kaffee and Kuchen Explained
More Than Just Coffee and Cake In Germany, coffee isn’t just a drink - it’s a daily ritual, a social glue, and, at times, a mild obsession. And when paired with a generous slice of cake, it becomes … [Read More...]
Pfeffernüsse – German Christmas Spice Cookies
Pfeffernüsse are tiny spice cookies, popular as a holiday treat in Germany around Christmas. These cookies with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and a hit of black pepper are ideal for the holiday … [Read More...]
Gun Laws in Germany
The German system of gun control is among the most stringent in Europe. It restricts the acquisition, possession, and carrying of firearms to those with a creditable need for a weapon. It bans fully … [Read More...]
Schlachtplatte
This is a feast for a crowd of friends. Prepare the sauerkraut (recipe follows) and a variety of sausages and meats. You may grill or fry the sausages or you may wish to cook some or all of the meats … [Read More...]
July 2 in German History
July 2, 1298 Death of Graf Adolf von Nassau near Worms, Germany. He was King of the Germans until deposed by the Habsburg, Albert I. July 2, 1648 Photo by NOMINE e.V. - Norddeutsche … [Read More...]
The Thirty Years’ War – Military Campaigns
The Thirty Years' War resulted from a local rebellion, but the admixture of religion transformed it into a European conflict that lasted for more than a generation and devastated Germany. In 1618 … [Read More...]
Mushroom Spätzle Pan
Are you in the mood for a comforting, hearty dish that tantalizes your taste buds with its unique blend of flavors? Look no further than this delectable Mushroom Spätzle Pan recipe, a culinary … [Read More...]
Why Is German Culture So Efficient? The Secrets Behind It
Germany is famous for efficiency. Whether it’s trains running on time, precision engineering, or highly organized workplaces, the country has built a global reputation for getting things done - … [Read More...]