The total U.S. population in 2000 was reported to be 273,643,274 by the United States Census Bureau. German-American ancestry was reported to be 46,500,000, which was much greater than second-place ancestry. All states contain German-American heritage people, although the percent is greatest in the Midwest.
Ancestors of many Americans came to the United States before 1870 from states such as Saxony, Prussia, Bavaria, Brandenburg, Wurtenburg, Thuringer, Hessen, Hamburg, Holstein and Rheinland-Platenite. Otto von Bismarck united all the German states into a single country in 1870.
The United States is a multi-ethnic nation. More of the genetic base of its people traces back to a region in Europe known as Germany than to any other country.
German Day was celebrated in the 19th century and revived in 1987 as German-American Day. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed Oct. 6 as German-American Day to celebrate and honor the 300th anniversary of German- American immigration and culture to the United States. On Aug. 6, 1987, Congress approved S.J. Resolution 108, designating Oct. 6, 1987, as German-American Day. It became Public Law 100-104 when Reagan signed it. A proclamation (No. 5719) to this effect was issued Oct. 2, 1987, by Reagan in a formal ceremony in the White House Rose Garden, at which time the president called on Americans to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Reagan stated: “Few people have blended so completely into the multicultural tapestry of American society and yet have made such singular economic, political, social, scientific and cultural contributions to the growth and success of these United States as have Americans of German extraction.”
In declaring German-American Day in 1991, President Bush said, “generations of German immigrants and their descendants have made outstanding contributions to American history and culture. However, the ties that we celebrate today are not only those born of kinship but also those based on common values and aspirations. Indeed, the same love of liberty that led the first German immigrants to these shores continues to animate U.S.-German relations.” He stated that the Germany united again in 1990 “stands in friendship with the United States (and) also stands as our partner in leadership.”
In 1998, President Clinton said, “Germans and German-Americans have profoundly influenced every facet of American life with their energy, creativity and strong work ethic. They have enriched the economic and commercial life of the United States, and it is befitting that we set aside this special day to acknowledge their many contributions to our liberty, culture and democracy. All of us can take pride in the accomplishments of German-Americans — as soldiers and statesmen, scientists and musicians, artisans and educators. It is fitting that we set aside this special day to remember and celebrate how much German-Americans have done to preserve our ideals, enrich our culture, and strengthen our democracy.”
The previous legal facts indicate that Oct. 6 could or should be included on American calendars as German-American Day. Many calendars do not include the special day of Oct. 6 but instead may include days of little or no concern to Americans such as the date the Chinese New Year begins. Americans have little or no concern whether the rat, cat, dog or ox receives special attention or praise in China during the following year.
Arthur L. Strobel lives in Joplin. He is a retired Missouri Southern State University professor of physics.
Opinion
Guest column: German-American Day should be on calendar
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