October 6 is German American Day in the United States. But what is German American Day? Why do we celebrate it? What is the history of this celebration? And what is the significance of October 6? German American Day has been officially part of the National Calendar since 1987, when Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5719, declaring October 6 to be…
Author: karenanne
The Gingerbread for Liberty Book- The Story of a German American Hero during the Revolution
Gingerbread for Liberty!: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution Gingerbread for Liberty, a beautifully illustrated children’s book by Mara Rockliff, is based on the true story of Christopher Ludwich, a German Baker who arrived in America as a young man. Ludwich was known for his delicious Gingerbread and his motto, “No one goes hungry if I can…
What is Erntedankfest? A German Thanks for the Harvest
Most countries worldwide set aside time to give thanks or celebrate a harvest. In the United States and Canada, we call it Thanksgiving; in Swaziland, it’s called Incwala, in Argentina, they have the Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia, and in Germany, the people celebrate Erntedankfest. But what is Erntedankfest? Does the whole family come together? Do they eat Turkey…
How is the German Chancellor Elected?
The German election system may be confusing for people who live outside Germany. Just how is the German Chancellor elected? I will do my best to explain concisely and help you understand how their system works. For the record, I am not endorsing any German political party; this is just an informational article to help people get a handle on a…
Why YOU should Visit Schleswig Holstein – So MUCH to See and Do
The rather exotic-sounding Schleswig-Holstein is one of those places that, if you have heard of it at all, you are not quite sure where it is. (Actually, for most non-German speakers the name is quite a mouthful… lots of “sch” sounds.) So, where is Schleswig Holstein? It’s Germany’s northernmost area, bordering the Baltic Sea AND the North Sea… as well as…
Easy and Delicious German Sour Cherry Cake Recipe
This German Sour Cherry Cake is one of the first cakes I learned to bake in my Oma’s kitchen. It’s a fairly simple cake to bake, with no special tricks or techniques, no frosting, and no decoration other than a dusting of powdered sugar. The German name for this recipe is “Apfel oder Kirschkuchen, sehr fein “(Apple or Cherry Cake,…
Federweisser- All you Need to Know About this VERY Young Wine
When people think about traveling to Germany in the Fall, they often think Oktoberfest. BUT, the country has so much more to offer besides this well-known attractions! For example, Federweisser. What is Federweisser? It’s an alcoholic drink only available during the months of September and October. This is a real autumnal tradition for many Germans, particularly in the wine-growing regions…
My Vanillekipferl Recipe- A Favorite German Christmas Cookie
Vanillakipferl or Vanilla Crescents generally aren’t the first cookie people think of when searching for a traditional German Christmas cookie recipe. It’s not spiced like a Lebkuchen or topped jam like Spitzbuben. Instead, the recipe is an excellent example of how a few simple ingredients can come together to make flavorful magic. These rich and delicious cookies are made from…
Vanilla Sugar Recipe- A German Kitchen Essential
Many German Baking recipes call for Vanille Zucker or Vanilla Sugar. Because recipes in the United States generally use Vanilla Extract, you won’t find Vanilla Sugar in your average grocery store. While you CAN substitute one for the other, it isn’t quite the same thing, and buying the packets from Germany can get expensive if you are a frequent baker.…