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History Highlights

The Hohenstaufen, Hohenzollern, Hapsburg and Welf dynasties originated in the German region of Swabia

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A great many historical leaders came from a small region in southwestern Germany. They include the Hohenstaufen dynasty, the Hapsburg dynasty, the Hohenzollern dynasty, and the Welf dynasty. All of these important families originated in Swabia, or Schwaben, a region in Germany that was located in what is now part of the states of Baden-Württemberg and part of Bavaria. Swabia was the home of the Hohenstaufen dynasty, which included Germany’s most celebrated medieval… Continue reading The Hohenstaufen, Hohenzollern, Hapsburg and Welf dynasties originated in the German region of Swabia

Notes on German Culture

Grimm brothers German folk tales were not originally intended for children

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Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm, 1855 painting by Elisabeth Jerichau-Baumann We all know the fairy tales that made the Grimm brothers famous. The two brothers collected, edited, modified and popularized stories such as "Cinderella" "(Aschenputtel)", "The Frog Prince" ("Der Froschkönig"), "Hansel and Gretel" ("Hänsel und Gretel"), "Rapunzel", "Rumpelstiltskin" ("Rumpelstilzchen"), and "Snow White" ("Schneewittchen"). Their 1812 book is commonly… Continue reading Grimm brothers German folk tales were not originally intended for children

Notes on German Culture

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert continued the German heritage of British monarchs

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This portrait of Queen Victoria and family was painted by Franz Winterhalter in 1846. Winterhalter was a German artist who first visited Britain in 1842 and became one of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's favorite painters, creating about 120 works for them. Queen Victoria was the last British monarch of the German House of Hanover.… Continue reading Queen Victoria and Prince Albert continued the German heritage of British monarchs

Notes on German Culture

Aachen…The memorable forest encircled city of Charlemagne

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This vintage 1928 advertising poster for Aachen, Germany was created by Jupp Wiertz, one of Germany's foremost graphic artists... an image of his hometown. Text on this poster translates to: Aachen...The memorable forest encircled city of Charlemagne, famous for its healthful natural hot springs. Aachen 1928 Travel poster Interior of the Aachen Cathedral, the Kaiserdom… Continue reading Aachen…The memorable forest encircled city of Charlemagne

Notes on German Culture

German airship approaching the top of the tallest building in New York

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Imagine yourself in an airship anchored to a pole at the top of the tallest building in New York ...getting ready to disembark onto the rooftop. That was the plan when the Empire State Building was finished in 1929. In 1936, this German advertising poster was produced, showing the Zeppelin "Hindenburg" approaching the Empire State… Continue reading German airship approaching the top of the tallest building in New York

History Highlights, Notes on German Culture

Lübeck’s German offices in London were the largest medieval trading complex in Britain, from 1282 until 1853

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In the 1300’s, the northern German city of Lübeck was the "Queen of the Hanseatic League", by far the largest and most powerful member of this medieval trade organization, with offices in many countries. Medieval Lübeck Trade routes and office locations of the German Hansa League Lübeck was the "Queen of the Hanseatic League" As… Continue reading Lübeck’s German offices in London were the largest medieval trading complex in Britain, from 1282 until 1853

German American

“It’s a Duesy” was once a common expression

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Frederick and August Duesenberg were two German-Americans whose last name was quite famous in the 20's and 30's......."It's a Duesy" was once a common expression in the previous century, meaning "it's really something special", something great and wonderful like a well engineered work of art...in other words like a 1920's or 30's Duesenberg automobile. Gary… Continue reading “It’s a Duesy” was once a common expression

History Highlights, Notes on German Culture, prussia, Second Reich...1871 to 1918

Quality of life in the new German Empire compared favorably to America

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Bismarck was the leading politician who created a new united German nation in 1871...a nation that became an economic powerhouse with a benevolent social policy. For example, he created safety nets such as the Sickness Insurance Law of 1883, the Accident Insurance Law of 1884, and the Old Age and Disability Insurance Law of 1889.… Continue reading Quality of life in the new German Empire compared favorably to America

Notes on German Culture

Ich bin der Doktor Eisenbarth, Ja, Ja, Ja..

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When I recently saw the name Dr. Eisenbarth, I immediately recalled a melodious tune from my childhood: “Ich bin der Doktor Eisenbarth, Ja, Ja, Ja..” …that song still sits in my memory and suddenly spilled out. It is fascinating to learn that there actually was a real person named Johann Eisenbarth in the late 1600’s… Continue reading Ich bin der Doktor Eisenbarth, Ja, Ja, Ja..