December 4th is Saint Barbara’s Feast Day. She converted to Christianity and died as a martyr. Find out here why we cut cherry tree branches on Saint Barbara Day, and how it relates to the patron of artillerymen and miners.
Category: People and History
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.
Friedrich Hecker led an uprising for a united Germany in 1848. He later emigrated to the United States where he fought in the Civil War. Find out more about this German American.
Maria von Linden was the first female student at the University of Tübingen, and the first woman to receive the title “Professor”. Read here about her research and struggles in academia.
1888 was the year when the German empire had three emperors: Kaiser Wilhelm I, Kaiser Friedrich III, and Kaiser Wilhelm II. Therefore it is called “Dreikaiserjahr”.
Lotte Reiniger, born in 1899, was a German film pioneer. She made the first feature length animated movie, using silhouette animation.
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.
Otto Lilienthal was a German flight pioneer in the late 19th century, and is known for his many flying apparatuses and gliders.
Baron Münchhausen was a real person who lived in the 18th century and who told adventure stories for entertainment. So, why is he called the “Baron of Lies”?
Auguste Victoria was the last German empress, wife of Emperor Wilhelm II. For the 100th anniversary of her death on April 11th, 1921, the German TV channel ZDF made a documentary about her that you can watch here. I have provided an English summary along with photos.
