German-American Heritage Month

History of German-American Heritage Month

In October 1683 German families began settling in Pennsylvania. Since then, German Americans have contributed greatly to our society. As well as the already mentioned Easter Bunny and Santa, the Germans have had a huge influence in car manufacturing, the building of churches, the arts, and even the language. Love a good hamburger? That came from Hamburg in Germany. Hugely historical entrepreneurs such as Heinz, Chrysler, Boeing, and Rockefeller all have German American heritage.

The first proclamation of German-American Heritage Month was issued by Ronald Reagan in October 1987, and since then we have been celebrating every year.

German-American Heritage Month timeline

1983

German American Day

President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October 6 as “German American Day.”

1933

Germans arrived in huge numbers

Many German refugees fled to the U.S. when the Nazi party took control of Germany.

1910

U.S Census

The 1910 Census counted more than 8 million first and second-generation German Americans in the U.S. population of 92 million.

1683

Settling in America

13 German families settled in Pennsylvania, establishing Germantown, Pennsylvania.

German-American Heritage Month FAQs

When is German-American Heritage Month?

German-American Heritage Month 2026 runs throughout October, honoring the significant contributions of German immigrants to the United States.

How many German-Americans are there?

According to recent U.S. Census Bureau data, over 40 million Americans claim German ancestry, making them the largest self-reported ethnic group in the United States. This substantial population reflects centuries of immigration and cultural integration.

What is German-American Day?

German-American Day is observed on October 6, a specific date within German-American Heritage Month. It commemorates the arrival of the first German immigrants in America on October 6, 1683, who settled in Germantown, Pennsylvania.

What are some German-American contributions?

German-Americans have contributed immensely to American society, including traditions like the Christmas tree and the Easter Bunny. They also influenced industries from brewing and automotive to education and science, with figures like Albert Einstein and Levi Strauss.

How to Observe German-American Heritage Month

Visit a museum

Get some friends together and explore the history and discover the contributions that German-Americans gave to America.

Make a dish

Invite your friends and family over for a night of wine and dining. Taste the foods and customs of Germany.

Social Media

Use the tag #German-AmericanHeritageMonth to share fun posts with your friends and family about this national holiday.

5 Fun German Facts

Germans in America

It’s estimated that 50 million Americans have German ancestry, around 17% of the population.

German American Heritage Day

German American Heritage Day is October 6. On this day, German Americans settled in Pennsylvania.

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is an annual festival that runs in Munich, Germany from September 16 to October 3. They include beer tents, Bavarian music, and people dressing in Bavarian, Germany.

Christmas trees

The tradition of Christmas trees was brought to the U.S. from Germany.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten was created by German educator Frederich Froebel in 1837. The word means “the children’s garden.”

Why We Love German-American Heritage Month

It celebrates culture

We have the German Americans to thank for a lot of our culture and society and it’s important that they get the acknowledgment they deserve. Especially for the food!