Good Friday or Karfreitag is the day when Jesus was crucified. Different regions in Germany have different customs associated with this day, from “Ratschen” to processions, from eating fish to eating “Struwen”.
Author: Anika Rieper
Germerican (Schleswig-Holstein, Pennsylvania)
Master's in German Literature and Social Psychology
Avid Reader and Bookseller
German Teacher
Osterbrunnen are decorated fountains and wells that are common in Franconian Switzerland during Easter. They are decorated with colorful eggs and greenery garlands.
Here is a (not comprehensive) list of locations and clubs where you can celebrate German Karneval/Fasching in the U.S.
Groundhog Day is an American and Canadian holiday on February 2, but the custom of predicting the arrival of spring has German origins. It also has a connection to Candlemas, a religious holiday with roots dating back to Celts.
Cilly Aussem was a German tennis player in the 1920s and 30s and the first German to win Wimbledon. She won against fellow German Hilde Krahwinkel.
Luise Rainer was an actor from Düsseldorf in Germany with a brief career in Hollywood. She won two Academy Awards in 1936 and 1937.
While New Year’s Day is called “Neujahr” (new year) in German, New Year’s Eve goes by the name “Silvester”, after Pope Sylvester I who died on December 31, 335.
The King in Germany? Yes, Elvis Presley was stationed in Germany for his military service from October of 1958 until March of 1960.
It looks like a rose and blooms around Pentecost: the Pfingstrose or peony. The flower was used for medicinal (and magical) purposes but also as an ornamental flower.
The Ice Saints or Eisheiligen in Germany are the days of May 11 (12)-15, ending with the Cold Sophie (Kalte Sophie). These days might see low temperature and night frost which is why you shouldn’t plant before those dates.
