NATIONAL GERMAN-AMERICAN DAY

In the United States, National German-American Day, which celebrates German American heritage, is annually observed on October 6.

This holiday commemorates when in 1683 the 13 German families from Krefeld landed in Philadelphia. It was these families that founded Germantown, Pennsylvania which is the first German settlement in the original thirteen American colonies.

Today’s holiday was originally celebrated in the nineteenth century, it died out in World War I and was then revived in 1983.

To celebrate and honor the 300th anniversary of German American
immigration and culture into the United States, in 1983 President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October 6 as German-American Day. It was on August 6, 1987 that Congress approved S.I. Resolution 108, designating October 6, 1987 as German-American Day and it became Public Law 100-104 when President Reagan signed it on August 18. Proclamation #5719 was issued on October 2, 1987 at which time the President called on Americans to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. It has been celebrated each year since and other Proclamations have been issued.