German-American Day

German-American Day is a holiday in the United States, observed annually on October 6. The holiday, which celebrates German heritage, commemorates the date in 1683 when 13 German families from Krefeld near the Rhine landed in Philadelphia. These families subsequently founded Germantown, Pennsylvania, the first German settlement in the original thirteen American colonies. ["German-American Day: A Short History," [http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Thebes/8171/GermanAmericanDay.html] ] Originally celebrated in the nineteenth century, German-American Day died out in World War I as a result of the anti-German sentiment that prevailed at the time. The holiday was revived in 1983.

In 1983 President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October 6th as German-American Day to celebrate and honor the 300th anniversary of German American immigration and culture to the United States [cite web
last =
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title =Tricentennial Anniversary Year of German Settlement in America
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date =1983-01-20
url =http://usa.usembassy.de/etexts/ga5-830120.htm
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accessdate =2007-07-29 ] . On August 6, 1987, Congress approved S.J. Resolution 108, designating October 6, 1987 as German-American Day. It became Public Law 100-104 when President Reagan signed it on August 18. A proclamation (#5719) to this effect was issued October 2, 1987 by President Reagan in a formal ceremony in the White House Rose Garden, at which time the President called on Americans to observe the Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

ee also

* Von Steuben Day
* Oktoberfest celebrations

References

External links

* [http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/speeches/1987/100287d.htm Text of proclamation 5719]
* [http://www.gahfusa.org/ German-American Heritage Foundation of the USA in Washington, DC]