Amy, at least when and where I was a school kid, we were taught quite something on (entire, from Mayflower to current) New World/US history, politics and culture
- and it was there that my interest in it began. We even had to learn a passage of the DOI by heart.

I think it was on this forum that I read that, at one point in North America history, the official language was a choice between English and German. .. and German almost won the chocolates.

Another, barely relevant comment, just because I found it interesting - My friends observed that the American presidential election seems to be a campaign of personalities. In Germany, people most often vote for party, not for the person. That seems more reasonable.

Amy, it was so that Germans used to vote parties, but for about two decades that has totally changed to voting topics. Right now many have switched to vote "green" and pro- climate - protection.

(02-22-2020, 07:54 PM)Amy L. Wrote: She comes from around Düsseldorf. Near the Dutch border.

Finally, I asked my husband this question about his education in Germany (without expecting an answer) and he said, his discusion in HS about America was comparing 1980s Russian farming trade with American trade policies. (So complicated? So, that would be a class in econimic-analysis for the 12th grade, and it just happened that the teacher used the US as a case study.)
Friends of mine said their only history lessons that included America were in relation to the 2nd WW, specifically Pearl Harbor. And also generally US gov't structure and 'Balance of Power' (which failed, and doesn't actually exist).
I take it all to mean: It depends on the interest of the teacher, not what's required from the State, to meet one's knowledge-requirement of US history in the German school system.
(My education at a good school in New Jersey was lacking. There was no in-depth analysis of the American Civil War, nor of German history. (Only a brief touch on the Weimar Republic, the Holocaust, and Reagan saying, 'Tear this wall down.') I regret not being more attentive...)

Interesting. I think I have my work cut out for me.

On a light note: I think I remember reading somewhere that Lincoln met with a German Pastor whose congregation was in Nashville (of all places). Apparently, the Pastor had been offering prayers for Lincoln during the services. But it was all in German-to a German congregation- in the South. Lincoln made some kind of comment like: "God understands German!"

Hey - here's something from NPR this week about the dying German language in Missouri and Kansas. (Mentions the many German newspapers in the mid-1800s.)
https://www.kcur.org/post/how-save-dying-language

(Ich kann fast nichts verstehen, was die Leute hier sagen. Ist das Deutsch verständlich, ihr Muttersprachler?)

(02-24-2020, 08:49 AM)LincolnMan Wrote: On a light note: I think I remember reading somewhere that Lincoln met with a German Pastor whose congregation was in Nashville (of all places). Apparently, the Pastor had been offering prayers for Lincoln during the services. But it was all in German-to a German congregation- in the South. Lincoln made some kind of comment like: "God understands German!"

Here goes, Bill:

At the meeting of the General Synod at Lancaster, Pa., May, 1862, Pastor H. Eggers, who at that time had charge of a German Mission in the city of Nashville, which was then occupied by the Confederates, made a stirring patriotic speech in the course of which he said that he was the only minister in the city of Nashville that dared pray for President Lincoln and the reason he dared do it was " that he prayed in German and the rebels couldn't understand German but the Lord could."

https://archive.org/stream/gettysburglin...w_djvu.txt

Roger-that's it! I don't remember what book I saw that in-but you found it the account of it

(02-24-2020, 12:42 PM)Amy L. Wrote: Hey - here's something from NPR this week about the dying German language in Missouri and Kansas. (Mentions the many German newspapers in the mid-1800s.)
https://www.kcur.org/post/how-save-dying-language

(Ich kann fast nichts verstehen, was die Leute hier sagen. Ist das Deutsch verständlich, ihr Muttersprachler?)

There is at least one place in the USA where keeping anything German (language included) alive is a vested interest for the entire community. That place is the Amana Colonies, located in Iowa, and designated a national historic landmark in 1965. The seven villages attract over one million tourists a year, and are famous for being one of the longest-lived "utopian" communal societies in history.

German used to be the primary language spoken in the community, and some of the old-timers still speak German among themselves. Every Sunday, a church service is still conducted in German in the Middle Amana church.

Mom grew up in West Amana and German was her first language. English was taught as a second language. School books, Bibles, prayers, everyday communication, was all in German. That began to change in 1932, when communal living came to an end by majority vote of the residents. Mom, who is nearly 94, is one of the very last (former) Amana residents who lived during the communal days and remembers them from personal experience.

https://amanacolonies.com/

That's neat! Thank you for the information and link, Kate.

"It’s a difficult word to pronounce[: Gemütlichkeit]" - chuckle, chuckle

Here in Michigan we have Frankenmuth. It's a tourist attraction also. Founded by German missionaries in 1845-it is known today as Michigan's "Little Bavaria." There are lots of activities all year round. We go there mostly for the food

Has the virus "epidemic" created any delays with the arrival of your exchange student?

Gene: So far it has not. Donna and I just discussed that possibility this morning. It could derail the whole plan. Hopefully that won't happen. I will keep everyone posted.

The possibility of my exchange student coming is looking seriously in doubt due to the virus.