German-American Day 🇩🇪🇺🇸

Overview

German-American Day, observed annually on October 6th, celebrates the rich heritage and significant contributions of German Americans to the United States. This date commemorates the arrival of 13 German Quaker families from Krefeld, Germany, in Philadelphia in 1683, marking the first organized German immigration to America and leading to the founding of Germantown, Pennsylvania. The day honors the enduring cultural, economic, and social impact of millions of Americans with German ancestry.

Origin and story

The first organized German immigration to America occurred on October 6, 1683, when 13 families from Krefeld arrived in Philadelphia and founded Germantown.

German-American Day was originally celebrated in the 19th century but fell out of favor during World War I; it was officially re-established by President Ronald Reagan in 1983.

Quick facts

• DateOctober 6
• TypeCultural / community observance
• Great forFriends, Families, Classrooms, Teams

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Ways to celebrate

Thirteen families stepping off a ship in Philadelphia in 1683 became the first permanent German settlement in America — a 300-year-old anniversary is exactly why Reagan picked this date to revive the holiday.

Mark the occasion

Celebrate by:

• Cooking a German dish, like schnitzel, spaetzle, or a proper pretzel, instead of ordering out.
• Researching your own family's German heritage if you have any, even a small branch.

Learn about Germantown's founding

Helpful resources:

• German-American Day (German-American Heritage Museum)

Connect with the community today

• Visiting or looking up a German-American cultural society or museum near you.

Did you know?

The holiday's early 20th-century version, called "German Day," largely disappeared during World War I amid anti-German sentiment, and wasn't formally reestablished until Reagan proclaimed it for the 300th anniversary of Germantown's founding in 1983.

Fun facts

• The first organized German immigration to America occurred on October 6, 1683, when 13 families from Krefeld arrived in Philadelphia and founded Germantown.
• German-American Day was originally celebrated in the 19th century but fell out of favor during World War I; it was officially re-established by President Ronald Reagan in 1983.
• Americans of German descent constitute the largest ancestry group in the United States, with over 43 million people identifying as such.

Sources and attribution

German-American Day (German-American Heritage Museum)

External links may lead to third-party websites.

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FAQ

When is German-American Day?

It is observed on October 6 each year.

What is German-American Day?

German-American Day, observed annually on October 6th, celebrates the rich heritage and significant contributions of German Americans to the United States. This date commemorates the arrival of 13 German Quaker families from Krefeld, Germany, in Philadelphia in 1683, marking the first organized German immigration to America and leading to the founding of Germantown, Pennsylvania. The day honors the enduring cultural, economic, and social impact of millions of Americans with German ancestry.

How do people celebrate German-American Day?

Cook a German dish or dig into German-American history — the day marks the arrival of 13 families from Krefeld in Philadelphia on this exact date in 1683, founding Germantown.

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