For many visitors, one of the first cultural surprises in Germany arrives not at a famous castle or … (More)
Featured Stories
The Peace Movement and Internal Resistance in GDR
The GDR leadership welcomed protests against weapons and war as long as they occurred in the FRG. However, when a small group of East German pacifists advocating the conversion of “swords into plowshares” demonstrated in 1981 against the presence of Soviet missiles on GDR soil, as well as against the destruction of the environment by […]
Seasonal German Traditions You Should Experience At Least Once
Germany moves to the rhythm of the year in a way that still shapes everyday life. Markets open and close with the seasons, recipes change with what the land gives, and villages plan their calendars around time tested gatherings. If you want to understand the country beyond postcard sights, follow its seasonal German traditions – […]
May 24 in German History
May 24, 1686 Birth of a Dutch-German-Polish physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit (1686-1736) in Danzig, Germany (now in Poland). Fahrenheit was the inventor of the alcohol thermometer and the mercury thermometer (1714). As the name indicates, he also invented the Fahrenheit temperature scale (now outdated in most of the world, but still used in the US). […]
The Middle Ages in German History
Picture a castle perched high on a misty hill, knights in chainmail clanking through narrow village streets, and monks illuminating manuscripts in candlelit scriptoriums. Welcome to The Middle Ages in German History, a time of feudal lords, imperial ambitions, epic poetry, and brewing revolts. Far from being a dark age, this period laid the foundations […]
The History of the Autobahn: From Bismarck to the Bundesautobahn
The Autobahn is not just a network of highways but a historical artifact that reflects Germany’s past from the industrial age to modern times. This article traces the evolution of the Autobahn, debunking common myths about its origins and highlighting key historical milestones that contributed to its current status as an icon of automotive freedom […]
June 22 in German History
June 22, 1767 Birth of Wilhelm von Humboldt in Potsdam, Germany. Friedrich Wilhelm Christian Karl Ferdinand von Humboldt (22 June 1767 – 8 April 1835) was a Prussian philosopher, government functionary, diplomat, and founder of the Humboldt University of Berlin, which was named after him in 1949 (and also after his younger brother, Alexander von […]
“Aryanization” of Germany in 1933 and mass book burning
By Dorothea von Schwanenfluegel Lawson Here are some behind-the-scene personal experiences from the 1930’s that might be of interest. In 1933, our Nazi government appealed to us for a nationwide “non-Aryan” boycott. I experienced the proposed boycott the hard way. One day I went to the local haberdashery I had been frequenting for years, a […]
Bauernbrot
Authentic-tasting German bread is easier to make than you’d think. Bauernbrot, or farmer’s bread, is a hearty rye bread that is the standard loaf in many German homes, especially in the south. It was traditionally made from scratch in farm homes and baked in age-old, wood-fired ovens. It takes a few hours from start to […]
Complex World Of Germany: Cultural Heritage
Switch on Deutschland – complexity and exactness are reflected in its name as well as in its sound like in the mirror. Complexity is a peculiarity of German Culture, too. This country has given a number of prominent people to the world: Goethe and Hitler, Dietrich and Bismarck, Einstein and Honecker. Militancy and arrogance are […]
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Schweinebraten – German Pork Roast
A pork roast traditionally served with a mild sauce, red cabbage, and potato dumplings (Kartoffelklöße) in the South, or peas and boiled potatoes in the North-East. Ingredients: 2 – 3 pound pork … [Read More...]
German Weißwurst Recipe – A Traditional Bavarian Delight
Germany is renowned for its rich culinary heritage, and one of its most cherished contributions is the Weißwurst. This traditional Bavarian white sausage, a staple in Munich and a highlight of … [Read More...]
10 Surprising Facts About Mettbrötchen
To many Germans, Mettbrötchen is just part of life – an everyday food item as familiar as coffee and bread. But this simple-looking raw pork sandwich hides a surprising amount of history, culture, … [Read More...]
December 5 in German History
December 5 Feast Day of St. Nicetius von Trier (? – 566) St. Nicetius served as bishop of Trier during the turbulent times after the break up of the Roman empire and during the period when the … [Read More...]
Bonn
The Federal City of Bonn is a city on the banks of the Rhine and northwest of the Siebengebirge in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Bonn serves alongside the capital Berlin as the seat of … [Read More...]
Feuerzangenbowle – Glühwein with a Twist!
Feuerzangenbowle is a traditional German alcoholic drink for which a rum-soaked sugarloaf is set on fire and drips into mulled wine. It is often part of a Christmas or New Year's Eve tradition. The … [Read More...]
Religion in Germany
Roman Catholicism, one of Germany's two principal religions, traces its origins there to the eighth-century missionary work of Saint Boniface. In the next centuries, Roman Catholicism made more … [Read More...]
German Reunification: Bored or Happy?
On October 3, Germany celebrates its Unification Day (Tag der Deutschen Einheit). This day back in 1990 brought a happy and a very significant event on the world political scene. The symbol of the … [Read More...]
Mastering Doppelkopf: The Complete Guide
Doppelkopf, often called "Doko," is one of Germany’s most beloved and strategic card games. Played widely in pubs, clubs, and tournaments, it combines clever partnerships, tactical trick-taking, and … [Read More...]
June 23 in German History
June 23, 1760 The Battle of Landshut in Silesia is fought. The Battle of Landshut was an engagement fought on June 23, 1760 during the Seven Years' War. A Prussian army of 12,000 men under … [Read More...]