German Children's Prayer at Christmas Time, with a Victorian era drawing of a little girl in bed before Christmas Eve. She is dreaming of angels delivering her Christmas tree, complete with lighted candles. The title of the prayer is roughly translated as: I lay here and sleep completely at peace, because you, God, help me… Continue reading German Children’s Prayer at Christmas Time
The only German officer in the Revolutionary War that normally comes to mind is Baron von Steuben, the Prussian officer who trained the Continental Army and later became Washington’s Chief of Staff. But we should also be aware of Johann von Kalb, a German soldier from Bavaria who learned to speak English and French and… Continue reading French officer Baron deKalb was actually a German born in Bavaria…he helped Americans win the Revolutionary War
Prussia circa 1250, Teutonic Knights Charge during winter, their favorite season in the Northern Crusades. Much of German history is not well known ...for example, there were successful Crusades conducted in northern Europe for hundreds of years and the largest castle ever built in Europe was a German crusader castle, the Marienburg. There once existed… Continue reading There were successful Crusades conducted in northern Europe for hundreds of years
There are many German dialects, as can be seen on this map, and these dialects can be a problem even to native German speakers. It is estimated that there are between 50 and 250 German dialects, so if you peak standard German, you might find yourself lost when the locals talk among themselves. It is… Continue reading There are between 50 and 250 German dialects
In July 1917...after 3 years at war... Germany was winning the war. On the Western Front, German territorial gains were being held and the French and British home fronts were weakening. The French also had to deal with a demoralized army with large numbers of soldiers going so far as to mutiny. The possibility of… Continue reading In July 1917…after 3 years at war… Germany was winning
This image dates back to 1811 and is entitled “Winterlandschaft” (Winter Landscape), by Romantic Era painter Caspar David Friedrich. The painting contains details that are hard to see unless you are looking at the actual print or click on it to see a large version. In the foreground a crippled man has abandoned his crutches… Continue reading “Winterlandschaft” (Winter Landscape), by Romantic Era painter Caspar David Friedrich.
This is a scene of a long gone winter, observed from the top of a hill in Meissen, Germany. The painting seems to pull you into a past that you never knew, yet it feels as though you are there, on top of the hill. Painted in 1859, it depicts a snowy early evening scene… Continue reading A long gone winter, observed from the top of a hill in Meissen, Germany
A beautiful blustery winter scene, by Ernst Oehme "Cathedral in Winter,1821"... look forward through the massive arches... you can see an imposing church structure, given scale by how small the monks appear as they walk toward the warm glow of the windows and doorway. Blowing snow slightly obscures the view, but you can see other… Continue reading By Ernst Oehme “Cathedral in Winter,1821”
An excerpt from "Departure of King Wilhelm I. of Prussia to join the Army on July 13, 1870" at the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War, by Adolph von Menzel. The King would return to Berlin 11 months later, in June 1871, not only victorious but also as the new Kaiser of the German Empire, already… Continue reading Departure of King Wilhelm I. of Prussia to join the Army on July 13, 1870
Whereas the US has Uncle Sam and England has John Bull, Germany has Michael, known as Der Deutsche Michel (The German Michael). “Der Deutsche Michel” ...statue on roof of the Academy of Art in Königsberg, East Prussia His popularity peaked in the 1840s, so perhaps this is why most people never heard of Michel. Even… Continue reading Whereas the US has Uncle Sam and England has John Bull, Germany has Michael, known as Der Deutsche Michel
For People Proud of their German Heritage 