Happy German-American Day!
In the United States, National German-American Day is observed annually on October 6th. It celebrates German-American heritage and commemorates the founding of Germantown, Pennsylvania in 1683. Last year, the following proclamation was given by the White House:
A Proclamation on German-American Day, 2021
Since the first
Germans arrived on American soil in the 17th century in search of religious
freedom and opportunity, German-Americans have played an essential role in the
foundation and growth of our country. Today, German-Americans make up one
of the largest ancestry groups in our country, with more than 43 million
Americans of German heritage living in the United States. Their
influence has been felt in each successive generation, and their contributions
to the United States have been innumerable. On German-American Day, we
celebrate the German-Americans who continue to enhance our Nation with their
talents, skills, knowledge, and rich cultural heritage.
The contributions of German-Americans are woven into
the fabric of America, touching our lives every day. From the
Brooklyn Bridge to airplanes, jeans to pianos, the food we eat to the beer we
drink — German-Americans have invented, built, and influenced some of the most
iconic American products and institutions. Generations of
German-Americans have served our Nation as first responders, public
servants, scientists, entrepreneurs, farmers and ranchers, authors, and
athletes among many other occupations.
The strong ties between the people of America and Germany
that have arisen since the end of World War II reflect the common bonds our
countries enjoy. We remain committed to the shared democratic values and
institutions that have shaped our nations and our economies. Earlier this
year, the United States and Germany signed the Washington Declaration,
reaffirming the democratic principles that underpin our steadfast commitment
to bilateral cooperation in promoting peace, security, and prosperity
around the world. The United States and Germany are inseparable
allies.
On German-American Day, we celebrate our Nation’s
German-American heritage and recognize the contributions both past
and present of German-Americans across our country.
Now, therefore, I, Joseph R Biden Jr., President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 6, 2021, as
German-American Day. I urge all Americans to celebrate the rich
and varied history of German-Americans and remember the many contributions
they have made to our Nation.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth
day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and
of the Independence of the United States of America the
two hundred and forty-sixth.
My German Roots
I grew up with an American born German grandfather, Elmer Martin, on my paternal side. His father, John Stephen Martin, was born in Rothenbach, Oberfranken, Bayern, Germany on November 28, 1847. He immigrated a year later in 1848 with his mother, Katherine Castner. John's father, Mathias Martin, had come a year earlier in 1847. Elmer's mother, Elizabeth Weiss, was born in Illinois of German immigrant parents, Johann Michael Weiss and Anna Maria Heim, who came in 1848. Both sets of great-grandparents were hardworking, industrious, successful farmers in Rock Island, Illinois.
Grandpa Elmer liked to cook and was actually a good cook. Some of his German heritage shows up in what he liked to cook. As a child, I can remember him making his own sauerkraut in big crocks that sat out by the garage in back of the house. Eating his sauerkraut was mandatory when visiting his home for dinner, but since I liked sauerkraut I really did not mind. My grandparents had a large screened in back-porch where in his later years, Elmer would sit to drink his beer🍺, and eat Limburger cheese, Liverwurst, and sardines. All of which, never became a favorite with me😉
My maternal Grandmother’s maiden name was Leffel. Her 4th great-grandparents Balzar and Sybilla Leffel immigrated to America from Oggersheim, Ludwigshafen, Bayern, Germany in 1750. When they first arrived in America, the Leffel family first lived in Pennsylvania. By the 1820's, many of the Leffel family had settled in Springfield, Ohio, where some such as James Leffel, left his mark as a prominent inventor and industrialist. My Leffel line eventually moved into Texas and Oklahoma.
In AncestryDNA's last ethnicity estimate from June 2022, my German ethnicity shows up at 24%. Prior to that AncestryDNA showed NO German ethnicity (see post). So now I'm really happy 😊😊my German Heritage shows up in my DNA as well as in family stories, traditions, and records.
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| German Ethnicity 2022 |
Posts about my German roots:
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