The White House issued a presidential message on German American Day on Oct. 6, 2026, highlighting German Americans’ place in U.S. history and their roles in farming, industry, military service and business.
The message says the German American story began on Oct. 6, 1683, when 13 families from Krefeld landed in America and later founded Germantown, Pennsylvania. It describes Germantown as the first permanent German settlement in America.
It also says the United States and Germany have a long-standing relationship sustained by mutual respect and a shared desire for peace and prosperity.
