I never would have guessed this. Even now, I'm wondering if this Wikipedia article is correct.
It claims that, at 50 million people, German-Americans are the largest ancestry group.
Funny, in American fiction or media entertainment, it doesn't seem this way.
Just like you wouldn't know that some people maintain that English was once a dialect of German. Look at the Canterbury Tales in Middle English and see if you can see the similarities ("unbokled is the malle").
Mind you, as a result of the disturbance in 1066, 60% of the current English language consists of words that were French (d'originne francais).
I have to admit that I have never heard of the "German-American Steuben Parade" or "German-American Day", but everyone knows about Octoberfest.
Article from Wikipedia below:
German Americans (German: Deutschamerikaner) are Americans who were either born in Germany or are of German ancestry. They comprise about 50 million people,[1] making them the largest ancestry group ahead of Irish Americans, African Americans and English Americans.[5] They comprise about 1⁄3 of the German diaspora in the world.[6][7][8]
None of the German states had American colonies. In the 1670s the first significant groups of German immigrants arrive in the British colonies, settling primarily in New York and Pennsylvania. Immigrationcontinued in very large numbers during the 19th century, with eight million arrivals from Germany. They were pulled by the attractions of land and religious freedom, and pushed out of Europe by shortages of land and religious or political oppression.[9] Many arrived seeking religious or political freedom, others for economic opportunities greater than those in Europe, and others for the chance to start fresh in the New World. The arrivals before 1850 were mostly farmers who sought out the most productive land, where their intensive farming techniques would pay off. After 1840, many came to cities, where "Germania"—German-speaking districts—soon emerged.[10][11][12]
German Americans established the first kindergartens in the United States,[13] introduced the Christmas tree tradition,[14][15] and originated popular American foods such as hot dogs and hamburgers.[16] Like many other immigrants that came to the United States, an overwhelming number of people of German or partial German descent have essentially become americanized.
German American celebrations are held throughout the country, one of the most well-known being the German-American Steuben Parade in New York City, held every third Saturday in September. Also traditional Oktoberfest celebrations and the German-American Day are popular festivities. There are major annual events in Chicago, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, St. Louis and other cities.
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