Carl Spitzweg painted this image, "Der Maler" (The Artist). It portrays a young artist taking a break from painting and day dreaming under a tree. Spitzweg painted scenes like this one that portrayed normal activities in a way that makes us stop and appreciate the beauty of nature and our everyday life. The Artist, 1850… Continue reading Spitzweg painted scenes that make us appreciate the beauty of nature and our everyday life
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
My message with this image is that today's Germans should remember and honor the history of East Prussia. This relatively small part of old Germany, the easternmost part of Germany once mentioned in the national anthem, played an oversized role in history. But the descendants of these East Prussians are now dispersed all over the… Continue reading If the East Prussian moose antler symbol could speak it would say: Germany, forget me not!
After the end of the Seven Year War in 1763, Prussia was a great power whose importance could no longer be challenged. Frederick the Great’s personal reputation was enormously enhanced. A number of nations sent officers to Prussia to learn the secrets of Prussia’s military power. Prussia became one of the most imitated powers in Europe.… Continue reading Frederick the Great Quotes
Erhard shepherded the new West German economy through a recovery that outpaced the growth of all the European countries that had won the war. Some credit for European recovery is due to the Marshall Plan, which provided assistance of $12 billion (equivalent to $120 billion today) but it was spread among 18 countries...for example, Britain… Continue reading Ludwig Erhard crafted West Germany’s post-World War II economic recovery, the German “economic miracle.”
Alsace-Lorraine was territory west of the Rhine River that was part of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation.. For over 700 years It was known as Elsass-Lothringen... from the 10th to the 17th century... populated with people who for the most part spoke Alemannic German dialects. However, France long desired their eastern border… Continue reading The German area of Alsace Lorraine was once again given to France in 1945
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
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
For People Proud of their German Heritage 