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.
Category: General History
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.
The Internationale Grüne Woche Berlin (IGW) or Green Week has been an important agricultural convention since 1926. Read more about the history and why it’s called “green”.
The Oberbaumbrücke or Oberbaum Bridge connects the Berlin boroughs of Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg, spanning the River Spree. Once a toll bridge and border crossing between East and West Berlin, it now connects the formerly divided city.
Maiglöckchen or Lily of the Valley are pretty flowers you’ll see especially in May, hence the name. But be careful those bell shaped flowers are poisonous.
International Women’s Day or Weltfrauentag is celebrated on March 8th. How was this date chosen and why?
Schwarz Rot Gold (black red gold) are the colors of the German flag. But where do the colors come from? Find out here.
Are you considering baking a German Chocolate Cake for your German friend or co-worker? You might want to know that German Chocolate Cake isn’t actually German.
After looking at the origin and history of the pretzel in Europe, we take a look at the pretzel in the US from Philadelphia in Pennsylvania to Freeport in Illinois.
When I studied in Hanover, Germany I lived in a district called Stöcken. I passed the Stöcken Friedhof (Stöcken cemetery) every day on my way to school, the library, or the grocery store. My friend and I would actually go for a walk there since the cemetery is really more of a park with graves. […]
