German-American Day on October 6th celebrates the anniversary of the first German immigrants’ arrival in America and also serves as a perfect justification for binge-eating bratwurst and downing beer like there’s no tomorrow. German immigrants and their descendants have had a significant influence on American culture and history ever since they arrived and founded Germantown in Pennsylvania.
Germans have made more contributions than you might realize, from creating the first kindergartens to creating the Santa Claus tale! Today, we’re celebrating German culture and reviewing German immigration to America. Many of the cultural influences we witness now were shaped during these early years of German immigration to America. For instance, German immigrants introduced kindergarten during this time as well as the tradition of Christmas trees, the delectable hamburger, and the pretzel.
History Of German-American Day:
There have always been German-Americans living in America. Several Germans were among the Jamestown immigrants in 1608. German immigrants began to come in greater numbers around 1670, and most of them chose to settle in Pennsylvania and New York. Germans notably founded Germantown in Pennsylvania, and the state continues to have the biggest population of German Americans in the nation.
German immigrants arrived in the greatest numbers between 1820 and World War 1. Following the 1848 German Revolutions, many sought political or religious freedom, earning them the nickname “Forty-Eighters” from other Americans. German immigrants started to move into the Midwest, where they filled key cities like Chicago, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, and more.
The German emphasis on the value of universal education had a significant impact on the developing American educational system. German businessmen, such as Steinway and Studebaker, built companies whose goods, such as pianos and covered wagons, helped define significant periods in American history.
German-Americans had a difficult time during World War 1. Politicians were concerned that German-Americans would have divided allegiances and undermine American war efforts as a result of the anti-German sentiment; even the President questioned the loyalty of those who practiced “hyphenated Americanism.”
Many German musical compositions and other works of art were not performed or displayed, and Germans were not even permitted to assist at the Red Cross. More than 110,000 Germans fled their own country during World War II in search of freedom in America.
By 1970, the prejudice against Germans had mostly vanished, and immigrants from that region of Europe found many things in common with German-Americans. Most people today wouldn’t be able to distinguish many German-American cultural contributions even if they tried since they have been so thoroughly absorbed into American society.
How To Observe German-American Day?
You should be proud of your German American history. Invite friends and family to taste the foods and customs of Germany. Exchange languages. Learn about the words that English borrowed from German. Visit local museums to learn more about the history of immigration. On social media, use the hashtag #GermanAmericanDay.
German-American Day Activities:
Learn the history of Germans in America
By 1670, German immigrants had already begun to settle in the British colonies, and they have since made substantial contributions to our culture, economy, and political system. An excellent way to mark National German-American Day is to recognize how Germans have influenced the America we know today.
Go out for some German cuisine
Visit a restaurant that serves the most authentic bratwurst and sauerkraut if you can’t make them yourself! Have both currywurst and schnitzel instead of having to choose.
Post #GermanAmericanDay on social media
Share your content using the hashtag #GermanAmericanDay, whether it’s a video of you attempting to recall the German phrases you learned in high school or simply a photo of the homemade käsespätzle you cooked, to encourage other German-Americans to talk about their heritage and culture.
Final Words
In modern America, German culture is so ubiquitous that its origins are occasionally forgotten. Many people are unaware that the Germans had a significant influence on our educational system and the idea of universal education, and without their cultural customs, we wouldn’t have the Easter Bunny. In addition to this, numerous German-Americans rose to prominence as entrepreneurs and leaders.