As of this writing (July 2009) Governor Jennifer Granholm is working to find ways to revive Michigan's troubled economy. She is on a trip to the logical source for help. Where did she go?
Not to France. Not to Spain. Not to any Spanish-speaking country.
Naturally, she went to Germany, the most powerful economy in Europe. Home to high-tech, manufacturing, software, health care, and other business powers, Germany has trading power which can create business opportunities in Michigan.
This will increase the already strong demand for German-speaking professions. Want a career? Learn German!
.....
Friday, July 3, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
More Students Study German!
The Modern Languages Association (MLA) reports that, in September 2006, there were 94,264 students enrolled in German at the nation's colleges and universities. Annually, the number of students enrolled in German has been increasing at a rate of approximately 3.5%, compared to a rate of 2.2% for French language studies.
Locally, there were 4501 students in Michigan's colleges and universities studying German.
The U.S. Congress continues to renew funding for the German-American Partnership Program, designed to encourage high school students to enroll in German classes. This funding, on a bi-partisan basis, designates German as an economically strategic language.
Locally, there were 4501 students in Michigan's colleges and universities studying German.
The U.S. Congress continues to renew funding for the German-American Partnership Program, designed to encourage high school students to enroll in German classes. This funding, on a bi-partisan basis, designates German as an economically strategic language.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Famous Germans in American History
Henry Melchior Muehlenberg was George Washington's chaplain and was appointed by the Continental Congress.
John Hanson was elected President of the United States in Congress Assembled and served until George Washington was inaugurated. Michael Hilligas became the first Treasurer and served until Hamilton took office.
The first stars and stripes was made by Sara Austin and the Ladies Aid Societry of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Philadelphia. This flag had only twelve stars and was presented to John Paul Jones. It received the first salute granted to the Star Spangled Banner in Europe. It was on display at the Naval Academy Chapel until 1968 and is now in the National Museum in D.C.
General Peter Muhlenberg and his German Lutheran brigade turned the battle for Washington at Brandywine and Monmouth.
The Liberty Bell was hauled by Fredrick Leiser, a German Lutheran, in 1777 from Philadelphia to Allenton and was hidden under the floor of Zion Lutheran Church.
Von Steuben, an inspector, saved the U.S. Treasury $600,000. Historians rank him next to Washington and Greene for valuable services. His "Rule of Discipline" created our National Army and still forms the basis of our military tactics.
John Hanson was elected President of the United States in Congress Assembled and served until George Washington was inaugurated. Michael Hilligas became the first Treasurer and served until Hamilton took office.
The first stars and stripes was made by Sara Austin and the Ladies Aid Societry of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Philadelphia. This flag had only twelve stars and was presented to John Paul Jones. It received the first salute granted to the Star Spangled Banner in Europe. It was on display at the Naval Academy Chapel until 1968 and is now in the National Museum in D.C.
General Peter Muhlenberg and his German Lutheran brigade turned the battle for Washington at Brandywine and Monmouth.
The Liberty Bell was hauled by Fredrick Leiser, a German Lutheran, in 1777 from Philadelphia to Allenton and was hidden under the floor of Zion Lutheran Church.
Von Steuben, an inspector, saved the U.S. Treasury $600,000. Historians rank him next to Washington and Greene for valuable services. His "Rule of Discipline" created our National Army and still forms the basis of our military tactics.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
German Foreign Policy - 2009
At the recent summit meetings in Europe, the discussions between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the USA's current president were mixed.
On the one hand, Merkel clearly refused, when Obama suggested that the German federal government should borrow billions of Euros and pump them into the regional economy. Merkel indicated that it would be irresponsible to put the government into that degree of debt, and there is no certainty, or even probability, that this manoeuvre would help the economy.
On the other hand, Chancellor Merkel gave Obama the green light to commit more American soldiers into Afghanistan. She indicated that Obama's plan to send another 19,000 soldiers (to join the 38,000 already there) would be greeted by Germany as a stabilizing influence in that part of the globe.
On the one hand, Merkel clearly refused, when Obama suggested that the German federal government should borrow billions of Euros and pump them into the regional economy. Merkel indicated that it would be irresponsible to put the government into that degree of debt, and there is no certainty, or even probability, that this manoeuvre would help the economy.
On the other hand, Chancellor Merkel gave Obama the green light to commit more American soldiers into Afghanistan. She indicated that Obama's plan to send another 19,000 soldiers (to join the 38,000 already there) would be greeted by Germany as a stabilizing influence in that part of the globe.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Big!
Germany, Switzerland, and Austria have long been known for advances in engineering. Automotive, aerospace, and photography are only a few of the research and development topics dominated by German-speaking technologists.
Unexpected benefits sometimes arise from these engineering projects.
In the last decade, several projects were proposed to develop capabilities for moving large and heavy objects by air. Several massive cargo aircraft were designed. One of them would have been the world's largest airplane, of incredible size, with incredible capacities.
However, a competing design, an updated version of the Zeppelin, ultimately proved better. So, nearly seventy years after the Hindenburg disaster which ended the first phase of Zeppelin development, the second phase began. Thankfully, these new Zeppelins are filled with inflammable helium! So the Zeppelins are no longer historical curiosities: they are flying almost every day.
But what about the project that didn't happen - the one that would have been the world's largest and most powerful airplane? It was never built, because the Zeppelin project was calculated to be better. But the company which had designed it had already built the world's largest aircraft hangar - for an airplane which would never be built! What do you do with a 700,000 square-foot building, 32 stories high, made of 14,000 tons of steel?
Easy! German engineers will always come up with something! They built the world's largest indoor water park! Thousands of tourists visit it daily; it's located between Berlin and Dresden!
Unexpected benefits sometimes arise from these engineering projects.
In the last decade, several projects were proposed to develop capabilities for moving large and heavy objects by air. Several massive cargo aircraft were designed. One of them would have been the world's largest airplane, of incredible size, with incredible capacities.
However, a competing design, an updated version of the Zeppelin, ultimately proved better. So, nearly seventy years after the Hindenburg disaster which ended the first phase of Zeppelin development, the second phase began. Thankfully, these new Zeppelins are filled with inflammable helium! So the Zeppelins are no longer historical curiosities: they are flying almost every day.
But what about the project that didn't happen - the one that would have been the world's largest and most powerful airplane? It was never built, because the Zeppelin project was calculated to be better. But the company which had designed it had already built the world's largest aircraft hangar - for an airplane which would never be built! What do you do with a 700,000 square-foot building, 32 stories high, made of 14,000 tons of steel?
Easy! German engineers will always come up with something! They built the world's largest indoor water park! Thousands of tourists visit it daily; it's located between Berlin and Dresden!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Power!
Once again, the Forbes list of the world's 100 most powerful women is topped by Angela Merkel, the current chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Holding first place on this list for the third year in a row, Merkel has dominated this list as the leader of one of the world's major economic forces.
The only other woman to perform so well on the list over successive years is former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Hillary Clinton's prospects fell when she failed to obtain the presidency in the 2008 election, but rose again when she was appointed to Rice's post.
Also on the list is Margaret Chan, who lives and works in German-speaking Switzerland; of Chinese and Canadian extraction, she made Switzerland her new home when she was appointed to be the director the World Health Organization. The ability to read and write German is central to her office.
Holding first place on this list for the third year in a row, Merkel has dominated this list as the leader of one of the world's major economic forces.
The only other woman to perform so well on the list over successive years is former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Hillary Clinton's prospects fell when she failed to obtain the presidency in the 2008 election, but rose again when she was appointed to Rice's post.
Also on the list is Margaret Chan, who lives and works in German-speaking Switzerland; of Chinese and Canadian extraction, she made Switzerland her new home when she was appointed to be the director the World Health Organization. The ability to read and write German is central to her office.
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