German Culture

During the first and second centuries B.C., Teutonic tribes from northern Europe brought their language and customs southward into a region that quickly came to be recognized as culturally unique....

Cuckoo clocks originated in Germany's Black Forest section, and over time have evolved into artistic and intricate time pieces with musical accompaniment and moving figurines. The clocks chime...

German immigration regulations were revamped in 2005, and amendments to the act were adopted in August 2007. The amendments brought the Residence Act into line with European Union guidelines...

The cuckoo clock hails from Germany's Black Forest region and is distinguished by its hand-carved designs and namesake bird that announces the hour. If you want to build one, you have several...

According to Airships.net, the Hindenburg was the first commercial transatlantic passenger service providing regular, nonstop flight between Europe and North America. The Hindenburg completed 34...

Halloween is the perfect time of year for children to let loose and have a ghoulishly good time. If you are planning a Halloween party for a larger group of schoolkids, you'll need games that are...

The term "Kaiser" originally referred to the leader of the Holy Roman Empire, Austria or Germany during a specific time period. The term has expanded into several other uses as well.

While Switzerland is well known as a source of high-quality watches, the Black Forest region of southwestern Germany has long been recognized for producing clocks distinguished by fine craftsmanship.

Sure you can buy a bunch of blue-and-white streamers and little men in lederhosen to line your house for an Oktoberfest celebration, but consider opting for more authentic decorations to make your...

Geographically, the Rhine River flows from the Swiss Alps to the North Sea, and thus through Switzerland, France, Germany and The Netherlands. If walls could talk, the medieval castles of the...

The word Zeitgeist means "spirit of the times." Although it has become part of the cultural construct of many nations, the origins of the word are German. Dating back to the time of the German...

In Germany they do a toast a little bit differently than we do in the US. This article will get you read for a trip to Germany. I will teach you the correct way to make a toast in Germany. Now...

Two holidays occur on May 1, and the Germans celebrate them both. It has been a nationwide holiday since 1919, when the German National Assembly declared it Labor Day to honor its workingmen and...

German culture is a rich mix of celebration and history coupled with efficient organization. Germany is a large country, and celebrations vary across the length and breadth of the nation.

The theory of sense was originated in an 1892 paper called "Uber Sinn un Bedeutung" by the German philosopher Gottlob Frege. It is a theory of the philosophy of language and philosophy of the...

Because of their history and social mindset, people in Germany have a special relationship to their cars compared to people of other nations. This attitude is referred to as the German car culture.

German desserts are as rich and varied as the history of their homeland. Fresh apples can be used to make a delicious and moist cake called Apfel Kuchen. Stollen is a braided coffee cake that is...

German food is always popular and is especially so around Oktoberfest. German food is hearty but simple food and lends itself well to any meal or occasion. Some of the foods have names that sound...

At 820 miles long, the Rhine is a small river compared to the Missouri (2540 miles) and the Mississippi (2348). Rhine barge traffic is vital to inland cities and industries, so the Rhine was...

Yes, I know, swearing isn't nice. But sometimes it's necessary and nevertheless it's always fun to see how they express themselves in other parts of the world. Read on to learn some common...

German is a complex language, and if you are learning German, you will benefit from hearing it spoken. Once you have a command of the basics of German grammar, you can expand your vocabulary and...

Tirschenreuth is a tiny town on the border of Germany, just a stone's throw from Bavaria. It's a quiet little medieval village of about 9,000 people. Fittingly, the history of Tirschenreuth is...

Being able to speak more than one language is an important and valuable skill, and the Internet has made learning a language easier than ever. There are various services, most of them free, that...

The Black Forest region of Germany is known for its distinctive mechanical clocks made almost completely of wood. They are designed to last for decades with minimal care and attention except for...

German-Americans are the largest reported ethnic group in the United States, so it comes as little surprise that German culture is alive and well in New York City today just as it has been for...

The German language has a different grammatical structure than the Romance languages, so learning the basics may seem a little uncomfortable at first. Like learning any foreign language; finding...

Erecting the most beloved and visited palace of Germany from the beginning brought novel and modern techniques into the action. Developing the look, the building plan and construction inside and...

The Iron Cross is a common symbol enriched by Prussian and German history, and has become a popular icon on everything from belt buckles to motorcycles. From its rich military heritage in the...

Rothenburg has been inhabited for over 2,500 years. It has survived wars, plagues, earthquakes, reformations and wars. This Bavarian Castle town has not changed in the last 300 years--laws have...

The autobahn is one of the largest networks of highways in the world. It is elaborate in design and accessibility and took decades to complete. As a high-speed road it forces drivers to only use...

Dresden china, or Meissen porcelain, was the first hard paste porcelain produced in Europe and was discovered in the German town of Meissen (near Dresden). Many potters and artisans who wanted to...

The German capital Berlin has perhaps one of the saddest stories of any European city, leveled during World War II and then divided in it aftermath. With the reunification of Germany nearly 20...

The flag of a nation represents the history and culture of a society. The German flag has evolved over time to become the black, red and gold icon that is easily recognizable today.

The Goethe-Institut is a German cultural organization that spreads German language and culture worldwide. Its centers around the world offer everything from wine tastings and film discussions to...

This article gives a brief history of the German fire brigade or "Feuerwehr" and explains the different gongs used both within the fire station and by the emergency vehicles.

German (or Deutsch) is classified as a West Germanic language along with Dutch and English. The German language is a major language worldwide and is a "mother" tongue which is widely spoken...

Germany has some of the tightest citizenship requirements among all the European countries. There are no givens when it comes to citizenship, and there's no automatic adjudication of...

The roots of the German wedding tradition lie in prehistoric Indo-European custom when a marriage symbolized peace and friendship between clans. Over the centuries, the Germans have done a lot of...

Though Americans might recognize the official national flag of Germany, there are 16 states which comprise the modern Germany, and each has its own unique flag. These flags are as important to...

The colors of the German flag have been a point of contention within the country for many years. After World War I and until 1933, the Weimar Germany flag consisted of the same tri-color black,...

The secret police force of Nazi Germany was called the Gestapo. The term "Gestapo" is an abbreviation of Geheime Staats Polizei, which means "state secret police." The Gestapo...

Kristallnacht or "Night of the Broken Glass" refers to an event of anti-Jewish riots and destruction that occurred in Germany and Austria Nov. 9-10, 1938. Spurred on by the...

Dachau was the first German concentration camp established by Nazi Germany. Officially said to be a camp for political prisoners, Dachau would exist as a model camp for 12 years until its...

Celebrating Oktoberfest is fun for all. Here's how we do it in New York.

Some people in the U.S. choose to recycle. For anyone living in Germany, including military members, it is not a choice. It is a requirement. While it may sound time consuming and difficult at...

Lederhosen, a traditional German boys' shorts that were popular until the 1950s, are made from durable leather or suede and often have suspenders and ornate embroidery. Today, lederhosen are worn...

German culture is full of festivals, great food and captivating history. And let's not forget the beer. You don't have to travel all the way to Germany to enjoy its rich history and traditions....

Going to Germany? It's important to learn the basics - like saying hello and goodbye in German. It's easy to learn how, and with this article you will be able to learn in less than 5...