National German-American Day
Honor German-American heritage on National German-American Day. October 6 marks the 1683 arrival in Philadelphia of families who founded Germantown, and it became a named U.S. observance after Congress and President Ronald Reagan set the date in 1987.
About National German-American Day
History & origins
National German-American Day falls on October 6. It is a United States heritage observance, not a federal public holiday.
The date looks back to 6 October 1683, when thirteen families from the Krefeld area arrived in Philadelphia on the ship Concord and, under the leadership of Francis Daniel Pastorius, established Germantown — now part of Philadelphia. Presidential proclamations treat that landing as the arrival of the first German immigrants to what became the United States. Some historians note that several of those early Krefeld families were Dutch-speaking Mennonites; the town still took the name Germantown, and German-speaking settlers soon defined it.
In 1983, the tricentennial of that settlement, President Reagan issued proclamations honoring German-American heritage and the 300th anniversary. On 18 August 1987 he signed Public Law 100-104 (S.J. Res. 108), which designated October 6, 1987 — the 304th anniversary of the Philadelphia landing — as German-American Day. On 2 October 1987 he signed Proclamation 5719, calling on Americans to learn more about German immigrants’ contributions and to mark the day with appropriate ceremonies. The 1987 statute covered that year’s date. October 6 has since become the commonly observed annual date.
Why it matters
German-speaking immigrants and their descendants have shaped U.S. farming, industry, music, science, religion, and foodways for more than three centuries. The day is a heritage date, not a foreign-policy holiday. It is also easy to mix up with Oktoberfest promotions; those are separate, seasonal events.
How to celebrate
Read a short history of Germantown or of German settlement in your own state. Cook a family recipe or a regional German-American dish — pretzels, sausages, spaetzle, or kuchen — without turning the day into costume night. Visit a local German-American club, church, or historical society if you have one. Learn a few words of German, or ask an older relative how the family actually spelled its name at Ellis Island. Share the 1683 story, including the Mennonite and Quaker thread, not a cartoon of lederhosen.
Facts
- Thirteen Krefeld-area families arrived in Philadelphia on 6 October 1683 and founded Germantown
- Francis Daniel Pastorius was the German leader of that early settlement
- Public Law 100-104, signed 18 August 1987, designated October 6, 1987 as German-American Day
- President Ronald Reagan issued Proclamation 5719 on 2 October 1987
- It is not a U.S. federal holiday; offices and schools follow their usual schedules
Upcoming dates
- Tuesday, October 6, 2026
- Wednesday, October 6, 2027
- Friday, October 6, 2028
- Saturday, October 6, 2029
- Sunday, October 6, 2030
Frequently asked questions
When is National German-American Day in 2026?
National German-American Day in 2026 falls on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
What is National German-American Day?
It is a U.S. heritage observance on October 6 that honors German-American history and commemorates the 1683 founding of Germantown, Pennsylvania. It is a day for history and family memory, not a federal day off.
Who started National German-American Day?
There is no single private founder. Congress designated October 6, 1987 as German-American Day in Public Law 100-104, and President Ronald Reagan issued Proclamation 5719. Reagan had already marked the 1983 tricentennial of Germantown.
How do you celebrate National German-American Day?
A simple way is to cook a German-American family dish, visit a local historical society, or read the 1683 Germantown story. The day is for heritage, not for treating German culture as a costume.
Is National German-American Day an official holiday?
It is a named U.S. observance with a 1987 public law and presidential proclamation for that year. October 6 is now the customary annual date. It is not a federal holiday, and banks and schools stay open.
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