Willkommen
The WCPS Office of Equity & Excellence is excited to continue supporting WCPS' efforts to foster a positive culture and climate with the recognition and celebration of German American Heritage Month. We have provided you with resources to support your efforts in creating environments where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging.
As educators, we are charged with developing students' ability to view the world from multiple perspectives. In order to support our students, we must simultaneously develop our own understanding of perspectives that differ from our own. Building your awareness of German Heritage is especially important in this part of the world. German cultural influences can be found all over Washington County. We hope you enjoy building your awareness of German-American heritage.
More than 42 million Americans claim German ancestry equaling about 17 % of the US population. Fun fact, Wisconsin has the largest population of people claiming Germanic heritage at 37%. German is the largest population of European ancestry in the US.
We hope you will take some time during the next month to explore the information provided in order to increase your awareness and that of your students of the important impact German culture has had on our region and country. In this newsletter you can expect to see:
- A brief explanation of German American Heritage month
- A section on the history of Germans in the United States
- A section on German contributions to American culture
- A section on challenges faced by the German American community
- A section with suggestions for books, movies, TV programs and music that highlight the diverse cultural experiences of German American individuals and build your awareness.
- A section with resources for teachers
Purpose: to celebrate and honor the anniversary of German American immigration and their culture & contributions to the U.S.
German American Heritage Month
The first Germans emigrated to what would become the United States more than 350 years ago. The contributions of German-Americans can be found in most aspects of American life. "From the Brooklyn Bridge to airplanes, jeans to pianos, the food we eat— German-Americans have invented, built, and influenced some of the most iconic American products and institutions" (WhiteHouse.gov).
National German American Heritage Month spans from October 1st to October 31st. This month recognizes the contributions & celebrates the cultural history of Germans in the United States. German American Heritage Month is held in October to coincide with the founding of Germantown, Pennsylvania in October 1683.
History
German immigration began in the 17th century and continued into the late 19th century at a rate exceeding that of any other country. In 1683, thirteen German families arrived in Philadelphia. These families went on to found Germantown, Pennsylvania, the first German settlement in the original thirteen American colonies, in October. "German Day" was celebrated for the first time in 1883, on the 200th anniversary of the arrival of the settlers . The custom died out during World War I as a result of the anti-German sentiment that prevailed at the time, but the holiday was revived in 1983, when President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October 6 as German-American Day and has been recognized and celebrated ever since.
WCPS Celebrates German American Heritage Month 2023
Contributions
For more than 300 years, Germans have been an intricate part of the development of the United States. Germans, famous for their practical skills, thrift, hard work, interest in the arts, and enjoyment of good living, have left their mark on American culture and life. Believe it or not, many German words are hiding in the English language. Words such as kindergarten, gesundheit, kaput, doppelgänger, spiel, dachshund, wanderlust, poltergeist, and many more.
Watch the the videos below to learn more about this diverse population.
Challenges faced by the German American community
The mid to late 1800's experienced the greatest number of Germans immigrating to the United States. Assimilation was the common practice during that time, so many Germans acquired the basic habits, attitudes, and mode of life of the American culture. This has resulted in over the years, a sort of disappearing of German culture.
When World War 1 began in 1914, there was collective fear of Germans living in the United States. When it became clear that the United States could no longer remain neutral during World War 1, President Wilson issued regulations in 1917 imposing restrictions on German-born male residents of the United States over the age of 14. The rules were written to include natives of Germany who had become citizens of countries other than the U.S. with all being classified as aliens. 250,000 people fell into those categories and all were required to register at the local post office, carry their registration card at all times, and to report any change of address or employment. Females were faced with the same regulations in 1918. By the end of the war, more than 2,000 Germans and German American had been detained in either Fort Douglas, Utah, for those west of the Mississippi, or Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, for those east of the Mississippi.
Germans and German Americans faced a similar fate during WWII following the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Read the links below for additional information and awareness.
German Americans have faced various challenges similar to other immigrant and ethnic communities in the United States. Their specific challenges have evolved or taken on new dimensions since the significant challenges faced in the 1900's. Balancing German heritage with American identity has been a challenge for German Americans. The historical associations with Nazi Germany during World War II may still impact how German Americans are perceived. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, some individuals of German heritage experienced discrimination and suspicion due to confusion with Middle Eastern and Muslim identities. Overcoming these historical stereotypes and misconceptions is an ongoing challenge.
Resources to Build Awareness
Deepen your cultural awareness by watching movies and television programs that are written by German writers, read books by German authors, listen to German influenced music and try some authentic food from the German culture.
A quick internet search offered this list of local and semi local eateries: (not exhaustive or an endorsement of any establishment)
- Schmankerl Stube
- Bavarian Inn
- Hofbrauhaus Restaurant
- Josie's German Cafe and Market
- Döner Bistro
No resource collection is complete without music!
Try doing the Polka with your little ones!
Teacher Resources to generate ideas
In an effort to find relevant, meaningful resources that can support our students and connect to curriculum, we will continue to update this resource. Surprisingly, ready-to-use resources to support instruction were scarce. Above are resources that may get your creative juices flowing. We hope that you find something of interest. Look for additional resources this year that celebrate cultures across our school system and the nation. Hoping your year is off to a great start!
Danke schön!
Allison Smith, Supervisor of Equity & Excellence