On February 5, 1972 the first Bobby Car was introduced at the toy convention in Nuremburg. It‘s a hard plastic car with a steering wheel and horn. Kids use their feet to propel themselves forward on this Rutschauto (scoot car). Pediatricians actually recommend it for youngsters who have problems with their hips. Soon after Ernst […]
Category: Short and Sweet
August Horch was born on October 12, 1868, was a mechanical engineer and founder of the companies Horch and Audi. When working for Karl Benz in Mannheim, he invented the reverse gear for cars.After he left Benz, he founded his own company and build his own cars. In order to survive, Horch turned his company […]
February 3 is the feast day of Saint Blaise. Saint Blaise (Heiliger Blasius) died a martyr in 316, is one of the 14 Nothelfer (Holy Helpers), and the Patron Saint of doctors, weavers, tailors. wool merchants, chandlers, tanners, and wind musicians. He is called upon for any throat diseases. Saint Blaise is also a patron […]
The Elephant Catastrophe (Elefantenkatastrophe) happened on July 31, 1888 in Munich. During a parade for the 100th birthday of Ludwig I, eight Indian elephants got spooked and created a mass panic.
The Fröbelstern is a star folded from paper and one of many German Christmas decorations. In English, it’s called Nordic Star, German Star, or Froebel Star.
The hottest days of summer are called “dog days” in English and “Hundstage” in German. But it has nothing to do with dogs.
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.
Palmsonntag or Palm Sunday starts the Holy Week which ends with Easter Sunday. Some (German) customs around Palm Sunday include processions and Palmbuschen.
Coffee wouldn’t be what it is today without Melitta Bentz. In 1908, the housewife from Dresden invented the coffee filter … and the rest is history!
Father’s Day in Germany looks a lot different from Father’s Day in the US. First, it’s on Ascension Day in May, second, men go on hiking and/or drinking tours.
