300 Years of German Contributions

1683 - 1983

To commemorate 300 years of German contributions

On October 6, 1683, thirteen German families landed in America from Krefeld, Germany, on the ship Concord.  This date is regarded as the beginning of German settlement.  The Concord is considered the German Mayflower.

Franz Daniel Pastorius, their leader, occupies an honored position in the annals of German-Americana.  He founded Germantown, Pa., the first permanent German settlement.  He was one of the first to formally protest against slavery.  

Today there are 51.6 million Americans of German ancestry.  German culture is an integral part of America's heritage.  Germans brought to America their skills, knowledge and inventiveness, love for music and art, democracy and freedom.

Presented by the Federation of German-American Socieities
Deutscher Stadtverband


Submitted by
Bryan Arnold
@nanowhiskers