German American Day!

Here in the USA, today, October 6, is ... German American Day! And just how wunderbar is it that this year it falls on Thursday -- Donnerstag (auf Deutsch) -- Thor's Day! In 1987 Congress enacted Public Law 100-104 designating October 6 as German-American Day:

A proclamation was issued by President Reagan in a Rose Garden Ceremony calling on the American people to observe this day with appropriate celebrations and activities. The date was chosen because on October 6, 1683 the first group of Germans sailed into Philadelphia Harbor on the Concord. Individually Germans had arrived before that date. [German-American Day Teaching Unit]

Since that date, every U.S. president has made a proclamation that October 6 is German-American day, a day to honor and remember the outstanding, significant, and lasting contributions that German immigrants made to our country. For more information on German contributions to the United States, or for activities to celebrate German-American Day, I offer the following links:

• Waves of German Immigrants Embrace America [Germany-Info.org]
• German and German-American Customs, Traditions, etc.
• Sigrdrifa's Action Kit for Celebrating German-American Day *
• German-American Internet Scavenger Hunt
• German-American Day Teaching Unit (Grades 9-12)
• Society for German-American Studies
• German-American Day Home Page

And, yes, I am of German descent and I am quite proud of my heritage. So, to all my family, kin, and friends -- and even to those of you who are not lucky enough to have even the smallest drop of German blood flowing in your veins -- I wish you a great day.

Haben Sie einen großen Tag!

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* Update: It has been pointed out to me that Sigrdrifa has a fairly controversial reputation. I received the link for their Heritage Action Kit, which I have mentioned in the above list, via a Yahoo Group email. After taking a brief look at the free download, I honestly feel that it is a pretty decent resource. It has recipies, activities, info resources, and flyers. So ... all I am saying is ... don't let past information about Sigrdrifa sour you on this particular resource ... but don't let this one project paint the entire group in too favorable a light for you either. Right now, I am merely recommending this one project they have offered.