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Chicken Fried Steak





Although the origins about this delicious, plate swamping treat vary (I mean, we can’t even agree about who or where it was first served in the Lone Star State) most sources say that it is attributed to German and Austrian immigrants in Texas, who brought over the recipe for Wiener Schnitzel. Of course, Americans took it up a notch and really fried the heck out of that sucker and smothered it in gravy. It is believed that it started being referred to as Chicken Fried Steak, and not Wiener Schnitzel, during the war with Germany.

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Nutcracker
Story and Figuring





The carving of nutcrackers began as a small, cottage industry in the wooded regions of rural Germany. They were, and are, known for their intricate detail and decoration. Also, before the word nutcracker became synonymous with the Russian ballet by Tchaikovsky (and also synonymous with the ever hilarious short videos on America’s Funniest Videos), the Nutcracker was the hero of an early 19th century story by Berlin’s E.T.A. Hoffman. The story was later adapted for the famous ballet.

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Advent Calendars





The origins of this Christmas tradition come from the German Lutherans, as early as the beginning of the 19th century. The calendar started off simple, a written way to count down the days until Christmas. Eventually, lighting 24 candles became popular. And, very early in the 20th century, Gerhard Lang was credited with printing the first Advent calendar. Several years later, he decided to add little doors that would open to reveal the date or a scripture. It wasn’t until after WWII that the calendars began to be filled with candies and treats for the days before Christmas.

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Easter Bunny





The Easter Bunny, at least as we know it today, first appeared in 16th century writings in Germany. In the 1700s, Pennsylvania Dutch settlers brought the tradition of the Easter Bunny with them to the new world. Their children believed that if they were good, the Easter bunny would come and lay eggs and treats into nests the children made out of upturned hats and bonnets.

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Gummi Bears





I (and probably most American readers) always thought of Gummi Bears as an American product. The sweet treats were invented in the 1920′s by Hans Riegel Sr when he started the Haribo company. Not only do they produce Gummi Bears, and all other chewy candy under the Haribo name, but the company also makes all Trolli brands of gummy candy, like the popular gummi worms.

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Here Comes the Bride


Bridal Chorus - Wagner - Here Comes the Bride - Lohengrin


First known as the “Treulich geführt”, the song that is forever linked to women in white gowns, was composed in 1850 by Richard Wagner for his opera, Lohengrin. Although the song is now traditionally played as the bride makes her way down the aisle, it was sung (yes, it even has original words to go along) in the Opera after the ceremony by the members of the bridal party. The video clip above is a good version of this song from the opera. Oh – and by the way, the OTHER wedding song (the recessional) is also by a German: Felix Mendelssohn – it is called the Wedding March and it is from A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

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American Picnic Items





Just about all the ingredients to make a perfect ‘All-American’ picnic come from German origins. There is the hot dog, or a Frankfurter: a pork sausage that finds its origins in 13th century Germany. Then, you can’t forget the condiments. Ketchup, which was developed by Heinz, and Mayonnaise, developed by Hellman, both German immigrants. Of course some of those items are based off earlier recipes (Ancient Rome: ketchup; France: mayonnaise) but the favorites eaten today are definitely German. Then, of course, there is the Potato Salad. Although there are many different versions to this dish, one of the most popular variations is the tradition German potato salad.

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The Hair Perm





German hairdresser Charles Nessler invented a very early version of the perm. He used a mixture of cow urine and water to achieve those bouncy, poodle like waves. Smells good ladies. Before coming up with just the right mix of harsh and damaging chemicals, he ran test trials on his wife. Two of which burnt off most of her hair and resulted in scalp burns. I think that might be grounds for divorce. Thanks for giving me a dog’s hairstyle in the 4th grade, Germany!

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