Usually I write about travel to Germany, but in this sponsored post, Julie shares some great tips on the apps Germans might want to put on their phones before traveling to America. And they don’t just work for Germans! Everyone traveling in the US can use these. The United States is a land of immense diversity and scale, a country…
Category: Celebrating German Culture in America
Petals of Home: Flowers in German and American Life
Flowers carry the heart of Germany and America, from Bavarian meadows to US gardens. See how they ground an expat’s life and how international flower delivery shares the love. Thanks to Rachelle for sharing this sponsored post about how important flowers are in German life. Petals of Home: Flowers in German and American Life Moving from Germany to America was…
Belsnickel A Pennsylvania German Christmas Tradition
Since the 1700s, children in Pennsylvania German country, waited with anticipation for a scratching at the window to announce the arrival of Belsnickel on Christmas Eve. A big man, dressed all in furs, maybe with marks of dirt or coal on his cheeks. He carried a switch and had sweets and nuts in his pockets. The children would get sweets…
Exploring German Heritage in Massachusetts
When you think of Massachusetts, the first thing that might come to mind is the rich tapestry of American history that’s woven into its cities and towns. But did you know that there’s also a strong German influence that’s left an indelible mark on its historical sites? From architecture to cuisine, German immigrants have greatly influenced the Bay State. They’ve left…
Anaheim’s German History- A German Home by the Santa Ana River
Most people don’t think about German-American history when they think about Southern California. Pennsylvania, of course, Wisconsin, naturally, but California? YES! Anaheim’s German History is a great story. The city of Anaheim began as a colony of Germans! (Yes, Anaheim, home to the House of Mouse). In 1857, 50 Germans formed an association called the Los Angeles Vineyard Company and…
A Visit to Ellis Island- Ellis Island Immigrants from Germany
A few years ago, I visited the Bremerhaven Auswandererhaus (Emigration Museum), and more recently, I visited Ellis Island, where many immigrants landed on the other side of the Atlantic. The museum houses the other half of the immigration story. I went, unsure of how much German history I would see; after all, Ellis Island acted as an immigration station for…
The General Slocum Disaster of 1904- A German-American Tragedy
1021 people, primarily women and children, perished in the General Slocum Disaster of 1904. And yet, the tragedy is mostly forgotten. Kleindeutschland (Little Deutschland) in New York City thrived through the 1800s into the turn of the century. German-Americans lived, worked, shopped, and worshipped in this thriving neighborhood. Then, on June 15, 1904, 1358 people climbed aboard the General…
A Visit to the German American Heritage Museum- Washington DC
The German American Heritage Museum may be one of the smaller museums in Washington DC. Still, their efforts to preserve the history of Germans in America make up for its tiny footprint. (Plus, I firmly believe that small museums are the best.) Since 2010, the museum has occupied Hockemeyer Hall on 6th Street NW, in the Penn Quarter, just a…
Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift Washington DC
On May 21, 2024, I was honored to represent the Berlin Airlift Remembrance Alliance at the Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift. The event took place in the shadow of the imposing towers of the US Air Force Memorial in Washington DC. Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift Washington DC The Ambassador of the…
Work, Live, Explore: Comparing Life in Germany and the UK
Moving overseas is a big decision. Thanks to Dan for this sponsored post on Comparing Life in Germany and the UK. Some interesting food for thought for anyone considering making the move to Europe to study or live, but can’t decide which direction to go. Finding a place in the world that suits your personality and lifestyle isn’t that easy,…