This pictorial map of East and West Prussia was produced in 1937. All of the major towns are pictorially represented on the map, notably with images of signature buildings, while the coat of arms of the towns line the edges of the printwork. The body of water on top of map is named Ostsee which… Continue reading Pictorial map of East and West Prussia
Martin Luther influenced our German Christmas traditions, in both northern and southern Germany. In general, the Christkindl …or Christ-child… always seemed to be the tradition in Catholic southern Germany and the Weihnachtsmann seemed to be the Lutheran tradition in northern Germany. But it was not always so…early in the 16th century there was no Christkindl… Continue reading The Christkindl gift bringer tradition was first introduced by Martin Luther
This map of Germany during the Second Reich, 1871 to 1918, shows Prussia at the height of its power. Prussian states are shown in green, all other German states are shown in yellow. It is interesting to see the map in this simple two color presentation because you don't lose the forest for the trees...Prussia… Continue reading The 1871 map of Germany shows Prussia at the height of its power
Prussian troops supporting Napoleon’s Grande Armée in Russia in 1812 General Yorck and his Prussian troops had been compelled to augment Napoleon’s Grande Armée during the ill-fated invasion of Russia in 1812. This kind of cooperation was mandated by the Treaty of Tilsit, signed five years earlier after Napoleon defeated Prussia and all of Germany… Continue reading Prussian General Ludwig Yorck activated the sought after crusade of German Liberation from Napoleonic France.
The single headed German eagle adopted in AD 800 was used for 640 years...this example is the Teutonic Knights Grandmaster symbol inaugurated in 1198...it consists of the German black crusader cross plus the German eagle that was gifted by the Kaiser. At the tips of the cross are 4 Fleur de Lis symbols gifted by… Continue reading German Eagles…single head 640 years, double-headed 366 years, then single head ever since 1871.
The question of who should lead a future united Germany, Prussia or Austria, was answered in 1866. In this first image, Prussian King Wilhelm is congratulating his son, Crown Prince Friedrich III, on the battlefield after their victory over the Austrian Empire. Prussia’s leadership was now assured but would mean the hoped for “Greater Germany”… Continue reading Should Austria or Prussia be the leader of Germany?
Herbst in Wiesbaden (Autumn in Wiesbaden) Travel Poster, vintage Germany 1930's. The image portrays a fashionable lady of the era, holding a bunch of flowers with seagulls flying overhead, painted in watercolor by the master of advertising art, Ludwig Hohlwein. Wiesbaden is one of the oldest spa towns in Europe. Its name translates to "meadow… Continue reading Wiesbaden is one of the oldest spa towns in Europe
My parents lived in Königsberg and were married there in 1940. The city was the capital of East Prussia in Germany. I remember a photo of them in 1937 in a rowboat on this large castle lagoon, the one pictured here. And stories of how they had dinner in the somewhat spooky Königsberg Castle’s Blutgericht… Continue reading This photo brings back memories of my parents who lived in Königsberg
In Treue Fest…German WWI patriotic farewell card, with the lady professing that she is Firm in Loyalty to her man....a German Flag is prominent on a diagonal...The motto, In Treue Fest, was also used to describe the alliance of Germany and Austria.....It was also the motto of the Bavarians in WWI, whose army proudly wore… Continue reading Firm in Loyalty…WWI motto for men and women
It seems out of character for a German patriot like Wagner to stage such a Germanic Opera in France....even more out of character is that he reworked the opera and added a ballet to suit his Parisian audience. Tannhäuser und der Sängerkrieg auf Wartburg Upon researching this event, I learned that Wagner was in Paris… Continue reading Richard Wagner premiered his 1861 Tannhäuser Opera in Paris?
For People Proud of their German Heritage 