GERMAN-AMERICAN DAY, OCTOBER 6TH, WAS SIGNED INTO LAW BY PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN IN 1987. PEOPLE OF GERMAN DESCENT WILL CELEBRATE THE 331ST ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR ANCESTORS’ ARRIVAL IN PHILADELPHIA HARBOR.
AMERICANS OF GERMAN DESCENT CONSTITUTE THE LARGEST ETHNIC GROUP IN THE UNITED STATES, WITH MORE THAN 57 MILLION AMERICANS PROCLAIMING THEIR GERMAN HERITAGE. GERMAN-AMERICAN DAY IS A TIME OF CELEBRATION, OF RAISING AWARENESS, OF STRENGTHENING A SENSE OF IDENTITY, AND OF PRIDE IN THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF GERMAN-SPEAKING IMMIGRANTS AND THEIR DESCENDANTS TO THE BUILDING OF THIS NATION. THE DESIGNATION GERMAN IS USED IN A CULTURAL, NOT IN A POLITICAL SENSE, THUS INCLUDING THE GERMAN-SPEAKING SWISS, ALSATIANS, AUSTRIANS, GERMANS FROM EASTERN EUROPE, AND GERMAN JEWS.