Glücklicher Deutsch-Amerikanischer Nationalfeiertag! (Happy National German-American Day!) On October 6 In the United States, this day celebrates the German heritage of which millions of Americans claim.
This German-American heritage holiday commemorates the thirteen German Mennonite families from Krefeld who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
On October 6, 1683, these families established the first German settlement in the original thirteen colonies. Upon doing so, the later named it Germantown.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Celebrate your German-American heritage. Invite friends and family to taste the foods and customs of Deutscheland. Share or converse in the language. Discover words the English language adopted from Germany.
Explore the history of immigration by visiting museums near you. Use #GermanAmericanDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
National German-American Day was initially celebrated in the nineteenth century. However, it fell out of favor during World War I.
Decades later in the 1980s, things began to change. As per tradition, 40th U.S. President Ronald Reagan made his world tour in 1982, which included West Germany.
Amid a cold war and a divided nation, the newly elected Commander In Chief then spoke to the people of Bonn.
He opened his speech by relating the history of the thirteen German families who founded a colony on American soil.
He also spoke of contributions, advancement, science, and art and the honor to celebrate the German heritage that more than seven million Americans claim.
"The noblest objective of our diplomacy is the patient and difficult task of reconciling our adversaries to peace. And I know we all look forward to the day when the only industry of war will be the research of historians."
~ Ronald Reagan ~ June 9, 1982 ~ Bonn, Federal Republic of Germany
In 1983, to honor the three hundreth anniversary of German-American immigration and culture into the United States, President Reagan proclaimed October 6th as National German-American Day.
It was four years later on August 6, 1987, that the U.S. Congress approved S.I. Resolution 108, designating October 6, 1987 as National German-American Day.
It eventually became Public Law 100-104 when President Reagan signed it on August 18. He issued Proclamation #5719 on October 2, 1987.
At the time, the President called on Americans to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. It has been commemorated each year since with Presidential Proclamations.
Is there a German-American that you know? How can you acknowledge them today?
#GermanAmericanDay
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