For German-Americans on Eastern Michigan University’s campus, this is an exciting and momentous year. Several significant anniversaries are to occur for both EMU and the world in the celebration of German-American Day, a ceremony which will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the Student Center Auditorium.
The holiday, proposed by Ronald Reagan in 1983 and passed by congress in 1987, celebrates the first group of German immigrants to sail into Philadelphia Harbor on Oct. 6, 1683, marking 300 years of German immigration and culture in America.
The holiday had existed prior to the 20th century, but faded away during World War I’s anti-German disposition, and has only been renewed in the past twenty years to reflect the great magnitude to which German heritage has affected American culture.
After all, as Reagan pointed out in his speech introducing the holiday to the public, those of German-American heritage make up about a quarter of America’s population and have accordingly contributed much to America’s life, culture and economy.
And Michigan has especially been developed by German-Americans, said Margrit Zinggeler, organizer of the event and German language professor on campus.
“The connection between the two with the auto industry was strong and there are still over 200 German-owned companies in Michigan, while about 750 American companies do business in Germany. Germany is the largest European trade partner with the U.S. It’s why we offer the language and international trade program here at EMU, basically a major in the language and a minor in business,” said Zinggeler.
This year’s celebration also marks two momentous occasions for the entire world. Twenty years ago next month began the disassembly and destruction of the Berlin Wall, which separated East Germany from West Germany for nearly thirty years. In addition, this year marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany after World War II.
For EMU it is the fifth year of the campus-held German-American Day event, which, according to Zinggeler, will be the largest one for EMU yet.
“The first formal celebration of German-American day was in 2005,” she said, “and we had it in the Alexander Recital Hall. It was small, but we had German Honorary Consul Frederick Hoffman from DaimlerChrysler speak.”
Since then the event has moved on to greener pastures in the new Student Center where they had authentic German music, including a quartet dressed in lederhosen.
“This year we’ll have the president of the EMU German Club, Corey Mundale, playing music as people are seating themselves,” Zinggeler said, “and more music afterward at the dinner.”
An authentic German dinner will be offered this year and the German Club will be expanding the number of dinner guests to 120 people, up from last year’s 100.
The dinner will include authentic German sausage, real German fried potatoes with onion, mixed green salad with lettuce, cucumber, shredded carrots and corn kernels with a German yoghurt dressing, and German bread, with “Apfel Schorle” to drink, a mixture of half apple juice and half sparkling water. For dessert there will be apple strudel with vanilla sauce.
Before the dinner guest speakers and EMU alumnus who have traveled to Germany will address the importance of German-American Day, and the significance of German-Americans in the foundation of America as a country.
These speakers will also touch on the value of language and studying abroad for purposes of job-seeking and personal enjoyment.
Following the theme of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the event will include perspectives from citizens who lived in both East and West Germany at the time of the wall’s fall, as well as a film documentary entitled “The Wall Came Tumbling Down.”
“It’s a great video,” said Zinggeler. “I tear up every time I see it, you know? We also plan to show some YouTube videos.”
Zinggeler also mentioned the value of the event for teachers-in-training.
“It’s a way for future teachers to network with high schools in the area,” she said. “There will be high school students and their German instructors attending. I know Saline will have at least ten to twenty students at the event.”
The event will also be a great way for any student at EMU wanting to travel abroad to obtain information on scholarships for such purposes.
Many of the student speakers are those who received awards last year and will be attending the event to provide perspectives on their experiences studying in Germany. They will be able to offer guidance on gaining scholarships and grants for this year’s applicants, Zinggeler said.
In addition, students can earn two Learning Beyond the Classroom credits for attending the program and watching the movie, and an additional credit for attending the authentic German dinner.
“Students can contact me to see if there are tickets available for the dinner,” Zinggeler said. “It’s free, but we only have a limited number of meals.”
If you would like more information about the event or would like to reserve tickets to the dinner, feel free to contact Margrit Zinggeler by email at mzinggele@emich.edu, or by telephone
at 734-487-0130.
