The RAF started out as the Baader-Meinhof group which was formed in 1970 in Germany. It started out as a student protest movement in West Germany. There were three successive incarnations of the organization, the "first generation" consisted of the founders; Andreas Baader, Gudrun Ensslin, Horst Mahler, and Ulrike Meinhof. The "second generation" RAF, which operated in the mid to late 1970s after several former members of the Socialist Patients' Collective joined, and the "third generation" RAF, which existed in the 1980s and 1990s.
The group executed numerous operations, especially in the fall of 1977, which led to a national crisis that became known as "German Autumn". Over the course of the 28 years the RAF was in business they were held responsible for 34 deaths and many bombings and robberies.
The RAF was a left-wing group and was deemed to be one of the most violent and prominent in Europe. There were known as a communist and anti-imperialist group that engaged in urban guerilla resistance against the fascist state of Germany.
Monday, December 6
Monday, November 22
Wednesday, November 17
Wednesday, November 10
EU As A Pivotal Organization For Germany In 21st Century
1. Germany is united to other European countries through the euro.
2. The EU's tax system is set up so that any person working in Germany pays taxes to Germany.
3. The EU acts as a cheap international marketplace for Germany, which has led to its' prosperity.
4. Germany's membership in the EU will allow Germany to stay a global competitor.
5. Within the EU the members do not have to worry about tarriffs etc. which will allow Germany to sell their products more competitively.
6. The EU is a step towards bettering Germany's reputation after WWI and WWII.
7. The EU is a large participator in helping the environment which will only help Germany in the future.
2. The EU's tax system is set up so that any person working in Germany pays taxes to Germany.
3. The EU acts as a cheap international marketplace for Germany, which has led to its' prosperity.
4. Germany's membership in the EU will allow Germany to stay a global competitor.
5. Within the EU the members do not have to worry about tarriffs etc. which will allow Germany to sell their products more competitively.
6. The EU is a step towards bettering Germany's reputation after WWI and WWII.
7. The EU is a large participator in helping the environment which will only help Germany in the future.
Wednesday, November 3
Monday, October 25
18th Century Poet
Friedrich von Schiller
November 10 1759-May 9 1805
(http://www.providencesingers.org/Concerts06/Season02-03/May03Concert.html)
German Philosopher, Playwright, Poet, Dramatist and Historian Schiller born Johann Christoph Friedrich Schiller in Marbach, Wurttemberg. Schiller's father, a military officer, ordered him to attend military academy against his sons wishes of studying theology. After 7 years of attending the academy he was dismissed because of his submission of a controversial essay on religion. After Schiller left the academy he was then forced to join his father's military regiment. Against his father's wishes he continued to write. Schiller worked very closely with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and were very influential towards eachother. He wrote 10 dramatical playwrights and is considered to be Germany's most important classical playwright. His most famous playwright is the Wallenstein, which was based on the Thirty Years War. Schiller only wrote 8 poems and very few of these were set to music, including one to Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Giuseppe Verdi, an Italian composer, based many of his operas on Schiller's playwrights, some of them even having the same name.
November 10 1759-May 9 1805
(http://www.providencesingers.org/Concerts06/Season02-03/May03Concert.html)
German Philosopher, Playwright, Poet, Dramatist and Historian Schiller born Johann Christoph Friedrich Schiller in Marbach, Wurttemberg. Schiller's father, a military officer, ordered him to attend military academy against his sons wishes of studying theology. After 7 years of attending the academy he was dismissed because of his submission of a controversial essay on religion. After Schiller left the academy he was then forced to join his father's military regiment. Against his father's wishes he continued to write. Schiller worked very closely with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and were very influential towards eachother. He wrote 10 dramatical playwrights and is considered to be Germany's most important classical playwright. His most famous playwright is the Wallenstein, which was based on the Thirty Years War. Schiller only wrote 8 poems and very few of these were set to music, including one to Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Giuseppe Verdi, an Italian composer, based many of his operas on Schiller's playwrights, some of them even having the same name.
Monday, October 18
Wednesday, October 6
All Quiet On The Western Front: Day 1
All Quiet On The Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque is a novel about a man namel Paul and the struggles he faces throughout World War I and how his life is changed after. It is a book of survival; Remarque describes experiences of men on the frontline such as starvation, injury fatigue etc and how they make it through the day. One major event is when Paul goes home on leave to visit family and learns his mother has cancer and is now faced with not only losing his fellow soldiers but his mother due to a disease. He also describes how everything has changed in his hometown, how he is no longer a part of the community he was a part of once but is now a part of the military and has no civilian identity. In the end there are no survivors.
Wednesday, September 29
Hesse
LOCATION: Central Germany
NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES:
Lower Saxony to the North
Thuringen to the East
Bavaria to the SouthEast
Baden-Wuertemberg to the South
Rhineland-Palentine to the SouthWest
North Rhineland-Westphalia to the NorthWest
CAPITAL: Wiesbaden
POPULATION( as of 12.31.2009): 6,061,951
About the population of Indiana
SIZE: 21,100 km squared
Bigger than Connecticut smaller than New Jersey
POPULATION DENSITY: 287.3/ km squared
About the same density as Connecticut
NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES:
Lower Saxony to the North
Thuringen to the East
Bavaria to the SouthEast
Baden-Wuertemberg to the South
Rhineland-Palentine to the SouthWest
North Rhineland-Westphalia to the NorthWest
CAPITAL: Wiesbaden
POPULATION( as of 12.31.2009): 6,061,951
About the population of Indiana
SIZE: 21,100 km squared
Bigger than Connecticut smaller than New Jersey
POPULATION DENSITY: 287.3/ km squared
About the same density as Connecticut
Monday, September 27
Class Competition
Life In Germany Today
What are the two restaurants/bars in Germany where you can dine completely in the dark?
Unsicht-Bar in Berlin, Cologne, and Hamburg
Nocti Vagus in Berlin
Germany is the second most populous country in Europe. Which is the first?
Russia
On Saturday, September 25th, Munich will be hosting a pop sensation. Who is it? Where are they from?
Kate Nash, Britain
German History
What German ruler backed Martin Luther from very early on, and ensured his safety after he was declared an outlaw?
The Duke of Saxony
What German state rapidly rose to a first-class miliary power between 1670 and 1740?
Prussia
Who is this?
Richard Wagner
German Media
Who is this?
Franka Potenta
What was the name of the movie where German actress Angelica Domröse plays the sister of a Man named Jens?
Die Legende von Paul und Paula
These three men founded a video game company located in Germany, what is the name of their company and who are they?
Crytek
Brothers: Cevat, Avni and Faruk Yerli
Bavaria
Who spoke at the Ingolstaedter Muenster church in Ingolstadt, Germany on 24.4.10?
Chancellor Angela Merkel and Defense Minister Karl-Theodore zu Guttenberg, in a service for four soldiers killed in Afghanistan.
Why were King Ludwig the Second's castles opened up for tourism shortly after his death?
To pay for the cost of building them.
Which of King Ludwig the Second's castles in Bavaria was the only one to be finished before his death?
Linderhof
Lower Saxony
What is the oldest flowering plant in Germany?
A rosebush at St. Mary's Cathedral in Hildeshein
What are the 7 inhabited Frisian Islands?
Borkum, Juist, Norderney, Baltrum, Langeook, Spiekeroog, Wangerooge
This character from the Shrek movies is based off lore from Lower Saxony.
The Pied Piper
North Rhine-Westphalia
What do the colors of the NRW flag represent?
Green - the River Rhine; White - the White Horse; Red - the Red Rose
Which political party had the greatest percent of votes in the May 9th, 2010 election in NRW?
Christian Democratic Union, with 34.6%
What was the precursor to the treaty of Westphalia?
The Concordat of Worms
Berlin
What street is this building on?
It is the Friedrichswerdersche Kirche, located on Werderscher Strasse in Berlin.
This structure is a key location in which German film?
Run, Lola, Run (in English) or Lola Rennt (in German).
Held in Berlin, what are the German equivalent to the British Pop Awards?
Echo Awards
Our Choice
What famous novel, anonymously written in the early 13th century, ends with the death of all key characters? Nibelungenlied
Where is this statue and what is it depicting?
It is in Bremen, Germany, and it is depicting the Bremen town musicians.
Which German car was the first one to be built solely outside of Germany?
The BMW Z3
What are the two restaurants/bars in Germany where you can dine completely in the dark?
Unsicht-Bar in Berlin, Cologne, and Hamburg
Nocti Vagus in Berlin
Germany is the second most populous country in Europe. Which is the first?
Russia
On Saturday, September 25th, Munich will be hosting a pop sensation. Who is it? Where are they from?
Kate Nash, Britain
German History
What German ruler backed Martin Luther from very early on, and ensured his safety after he was declared an outlaw?
The Duke of Saxony
What German state rapidly rose to a first-class miliary power between 1670 and 1740?
Prussia
Who is this?
Richard Wagner
German Media
Who is this?
Franka Potenta
What was the name of the movie where German actress Angelica Domröse plays the sister of a Man named Jens?
Die Legende von Paul und Paula
These three men founded a video game company located in Germany, what is the name of their company and who are they?
Crytek
Brothers: Cevat, Avni and Faruk Yerli
Bavaria
Who spoke at the Ingolstaedter Muenster church in Ingolstadt, Germany on 24.4.10?
Chancellor Angela Merkel and Defense Minister Karl-Theodore zu Guttenberg, in a service for four soldiers killed in Afghanistan.
Why were King Ludwig the Second's castles opened up for tourism shortly after his death?
To pay for the cost of building them.
Which of King Ludwig the Second's castles in Bavaria was the only one to be finished before his death?
Linderhof
Lower Saxony
What is the oldest flowering plant in Germany?
A rosebush at St. Mary's Cathedral in Hildeshein
What are the 7 inhabited Frisian Islands?
Borkum, Juist, Norderney, Baltrum, Langeook, Spiekeroog, Wangerooge
This character from the Shrek movies is based off lore from Lower Saxony.
The Pied Piper
North Rhine-Westphalia
What do the colors of the NRW flag represent?
Green - the River Rhine; White - the White Horse; Red - the Red Rose
Which political party had the greatest percent of votes in the May 9th, 2010 election in NRW?
Christian Democratic Union, with 34.6%
What was the precursor to the treaty of Westphalia?
The Concordat of Worms
Berlin
What street is this building on?
It is the Friedrichswerdersche Kirche, located on Werderscher Strasse in Berlin.
This structure is a key location in which German film?
Run, Lola, Run (in English) or Lola Rennt (in German).
Held in Berlin, what are the German equivalent to the British Pop Awards?
Echo Awards
Our Choice
What famous novel, anonymously written in the early 13th century, ends with the death of all key characters? Nibelungenlied
Where is this statue and what is it depicting?
It is in Bremen, Germany, and it is depicting the Bremen town musicians.
Which German car was the first one to be built solely outside of Germany?
The BMW Z3
Sunday, September 19
German Media: Radio & Newspapers
# of Radio Stations in each German State (Most to Least)
Bayern - 79
Nordrhein-Westfalen - 74
Berlin - 40
Baden-Wuerttemberg - 33
Sachsen - 27
Hessen - 20
Niedersachsen - 19
Hamburg - 17
Rheinland-Pfalz - 13
Sachsen-Anhalt - 11
Brandenburg - 8
Saarland - 8
Thuringen - 8
Schleswig-Holstein - 7
Bremen - 6
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - 6
I would say the #1 most popular music station throughout the states is Mix followed by Schlager. Many of the states also have Rock stations and Dance or Pop but it isn't as widespread as the Mix music. Few states have News radio stations or Klassik or Oldies radio stations.
Germany focuses on the same things North America does in their newspapers; Politics, Current news events, Entertainment etc. They also have the same types of magazines that North America does such as Women's magazines, Outdoors magazines, Political magazines etc.
Bayern - 79
Nordrhein-Westfalen - 74
Berlin - 40
Baden-Wuerttemberg - 33
Sachsen - 27
Hessen - 20
Niedersachsen - 19
Hamburg - 17
Rheinland-Pfalz - 13
Sachsen-Anhalt - 11
Brandenburg - 8
Saarland - 8
Thuringen - 8
Schleswig-Holstein - 7
Bremen - 6
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - 6
I would say the #1 most popular music station throughout the states is Mix followed by Schlager. Many of the states also have Rock stations and Dance or Pop but it isn't as widespread as the Mix music. Few states have News radio stations or Klassik or Oldies radio stations.
Germany focuses on the same things North America does in their newspapers; Politics, Current news events, Entertainment etc. They also have the same types of magazines that North America does such as Women's magazines, Outdoors magazines, Political magazines etc.
Wednesday, September 15
Bastei Rocks In The Elbe Valley
Located in the Saxon Switzerland National Park are the Bastei Rocks. They are steep fissured sandstone rocks, canyon-like ravines, caves and rock needles constitute, possibly, the most spectacular national park in all of Germany. Formed over hundreds of years by the Elbe washing away the rock face. The cliffs face directly over across the river. The cliffs rise 194 meters above the waterfront.
The landmarks have been a tourist attraction for over 200 years. In 1824 a wooden bridge was built which spanned the rocks, later to be replaced by the current sandstone bridge in 1851. Other attractions in the area include; hiking and rock climbing are two of the biggerst activities associated with the Bastei Rocks.
Boat tours are also popular with tourists visiting the area. You can ride the Elbe river on one of the world's oldest paddle-streamers. The tour takes you from the rocks of Elbesandsteingebrige through the Elbe valley to the historic city of Dresden, which is about 40 km away.
There popular stones within the Bastei Rocks. Such as, the ascent through the 'needle eye' to the stone Pfaffenstein. Fortress Koenigstein could never be conquered by enemies, as it sits within the Bastei Rocks. It is one of the largest castle plants of Europe.
The landmarks have been a tourist attraction for over 200 years. In 1824 a wooden bridge was built which spanned the rocks, later to be replaced by the current sandstone bridge in 1851. Other attractions in the area include; hiking and rock climbing are two of the biggerst activities associated with the Bastei Rocks.
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| Sandstone Bridge |
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| Boat Tour Along The Elbe |
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| The "Needle-Eye" |
Friday, September 10
Wednesday, September 1
16 German States
SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN
Lies between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
HAMBURG
One of the first states to join the FRG in 1949.
MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN
Sixth largest state in Germany but the least densely populated one.
LOWER SAXONY
This state is home of the Volkswagen.
BREMEN
Bremen is the smallest of Germany’s 16 states.
BADEN-WURTTEMBERG
Located in one of the wealthiest regions in Europe.
BRANDENBURG
One third of this state's acreage is all nature.
THURINGIA
Known as the Green Heart of Germany
BAYERN
Takes up almost 20% of the total land area of Germany.
SAXONY-ANHALT
Famous for its soil, it contains the best soil in Germany and some of the best of Europe.
BAVARIA
Oldest state in Germany.
NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN
Working in the steel industry is very common here.
HESSE
State with the most international/foreign business.
RHINELAND-PALATINE
Exports 2/3 of Germany’s wine.
NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA
Most populous state in Germany with a population of approximately 18,033,000.
SAARLAND
Smallest state in Germany excluding city-states.
Lies between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
HAMBURG
One of the first states to join the FRG in 1949.
MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN
Sixth largest state in Germany but the least densely populated one.
LOWER SAXONY
This state is home of the Volkswagen.
BREMEN
Bremen is the smallest of Germany’s 16 states.
BADEN-WURTTEMBERG
Located in one of the wealthiest regions in Europe.
BRANDENBURG
One third of this state's acreage is all nature.
THURINGIA
Known as the Green Heart of Germany
BAYERN
Takes up almost 20% of the total land area of Germany.
SAXONY-ANHALT
Famous for its soil, it contains the best soil in Germany and some of the best of Europe.
BAVARIA
Oldest state in Germany.
NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN
Working in the steel industry is very common here.
HESSE
State with the most international/foreign business.
RHINELAND-PALATINE
Exports 2/3 of Germany’s wine.
NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA
Most populous state in Germany with a population of approximately 18,033,000.
SAARLAND
Smallest state in Germany excluding city-states.
Hanseatic City of Lübeck
The Hanseatic City of Lübeck, located in the northern-most state of Schleswig-Holstein in Germany, is home to around 214,000 people making it the second largest city in the state. Traces of the Hanseatic League are thought to have come from the city of Lübeck which originated in 1159. In 1226 the area became the free city of Lübeck which later became the Hanseatic city of Lübeck. In the 14th century Lübeck became the “Queen of the Hanseatic League.” It was the largest member of the Hanseatic trade organization.
The Hanseatic City of Lübeck was the 8th location to be added to the list of World Heritage Sites from Germany in 1987, mainly because of its gothic style architecture. The nomination of Lübeck into the List of World Heritage sites was first denied in 1983 because of the destruction caused by WWII. However, the old part of Lübeck still remains. Two of the original four gates that lead into the city of Lübeck still remain, the Burgtor built in 1444 and the Holstentor built in 1478.
Lübeck is located on the Trave River and is the largest port on the Baltic Sea in Germany. The Trave River also encloses an island which is the old part of Lübeck. It is well known for its’ old gothic brick architecture. Lübeck still has the look of medieval times by also keeping the streets narrow. It still has many original structures from the origination of the city including church steeples dating back to as early at the 13th century.
The city of Lübeck is also home to 3 universities; Fachhochschule Lübeck (University of Applied Sciences), University of Lübeck and Musikhochschule Lübeck (Academy of Music).
The Hanseatic City of Lübeck was the 8th location to be added to the list of World Heritage Sites from Germany in 1987, mainly because of its gothic style architecture. The nomination of Lübeck into the List of World Heritage sites was first denied in 1983 because of the destruction caused by WWII. However, the old part of Lübeck still remains. Two of the original four gates that lead into the city of Lübeck still remain, the Burgtor built in 1444 and the Holstentor built in 1478.
Lübeck is located on the Trave River and is the largest port on the Baltic Sea in Germany. The Trave River also encloses an island which is the old part of Lübeck. It is well known for its’ old gothic brick architecture. Lübeck still has the look of medieval times by also keeping the streets narrow. It still has many original structures from the origination of the city including church steeples dating back to as early at the 13th century.
The city of Lübeck is also home to 3 universities; Fachhochschule Lübeck (University of Applied Sciences), University of Lübeck and Musikhochschule Lübeck (Academy of Music).
Monday, August 30
German Holidays & Celebrations
German Holidays & Celebrations
German Holidays & Celebrations
Karneval
°Karneval, also known as the “fifth season,” begins on November 11th at 11:11 am. The eleventh minute of the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. In this hour the “Council of Eleven” comes together to plan the events of the upcoming festival.
° Carnival traditions started in the 19th century. Many of the Carnivals around Germany have elected Carnival Kings, Queens, or Princes
° Though the Council congregates on November 11th, the festivities do not begin until 40 days before Easter. Carnival signifies the last parties before Ash Wednesday.
° Celebrations kick-off with “Women’s Carnival” on the Thursday preceding Ash Wednesday. This day is a day for the Women of Germany. They may kiss any man they wish after first cutting off his tie.
° Rose Monday is where marching bands, dancers, and floats parade through the streets of the cities. They throw confetti, sweets, and toys into the crowds. Most of the floats are adorned with carved caricatures of politicians and other characters.
° On Shrove Tuesday, costume balls are held all throughout Germany, and they hold the burning of the Carnival Spirit, when life-size straw effigies are burned.
° Quiet Ash Wednesday marks the end of the festival.
Oktoberfest
° Oktoberfest is Munich’s largest fair and highlight of the years events in Germany. A Bavarian tradition originally started in 1810 in Munich, Germany. It all started with the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese on October 12th and a celebratory horse race held on October 17th.
° Many events take place during the 16-day event, including horse races, plays and socker games.
° The festival is held on the field/meadow named the Theresienwiese, for princess Therese.
° Oktoberfest takes place during the 16 days up to and including the first Sunday in October. The festival schedule was modified in 1994 to include German Unity Day in the festivities. In the event that it is a Jubilee year the festivities go until the first Monday in October.
° The festival follows a set schedule of activities over the course of the 16 days. This includes family days, Italian weekend, a costume parade, firecracker shooting and of course the tapping of the first keg.
° Over the years they have had to cancel 24 years of Oktoberfest celebrations
° There are 14 main large tents that can seat anywhere from 1,000 and 9,000 people inside with even more room outside of the tents.
° Oktoberfest accommodates as many as 6 million people each year that come from all over the world to celebrate the German tradition.
German Unity Day
° German Unity Day, Tag der Deutschen Einheit, is celebrated on October 3rd, the date when the reunification treaty was signed between the two Germanys in 1990, following the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9th, 1989
° It was originally going to be celebrated on November the 9th, the day the Berlin wall fell, however this is also the date of the Nazis infamous Kristallnacht. This was found to be inappropriate for a holiday so they used the formal date when everything became official on October 3rd 1990.
° Before 1990 West Germany's national holiday was on May 23rd and October 7th in East Germany.
° Each year a different city hosts a large celebration for the day. These celebrations include food, fireworks, concerts, and speeches by political leaders.
Erntedankfest
° Erntedanktag is an official German holiday. Harvest Festivals (Erntefests) are celebrated in churches and market places, in homes and dance halls. While the German-speaking countries also observe the principle of separation of church and state "politically", public displays of religious holiday traditions are a part of the local culture. The mostly Protestant German Erntedankfest observance dates back to around 1770.
° Since the Reformation the 29th of September has been considered the end of the harvest season, and Erntedankfest with a special church service is celebrated on the first Sunday of October.
° Erntedanktag literally means “Harvest-Thanksgiving-Day“
° Erntedankfest literally means "harvest festival of thanks”
° It is not a national holiday, but more of a religious celebration with roots in the rural harvest festivals. When it is celebrated in larger cities, it is usually part of a church service.
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