When is German-American Heritage Month?
German-American Heritage Month is under way
Thu, Oct 1, 2026 – Sat, Oct 31, 2026
The whole of October.
German-American Heritage Month recognizes the history and contributions of Americans with German roots, one of the largest ancestry groups in the United States. It grew out of German-American Day on October 6, which presidents proclaim each year.
About German-American Heritage Month
The month is built around a single date. On October 6, 1683, a group of 13 German families who had left home to escape religious persecution arrived in Philadelphia and went on to found Germantown, the first German settlement in the colonies. Millions more Germans followed over the next three centuries, and their influence shows up in American farming, brewing, newspapers, music, engineering, religion, education and politics. President Joe Biden's 2024 proclamation put the number of German Americans at 40 million.
The federal observance is German-American Day, not a month. In 1987 Congress passed Public Law 100-104, designating October 6, 1987, the 304th anniversary of the first German immigrants' arrival in Philadelphia, as German-American Day, and President Ronald Reagan proclaimed it on October 2, 1987. Later presidents have continued to proclaim German-American Day on October 6; President Biden's 2024 proclamation, for example, opened with the story of those 13 families.
The month-long observance has come mainly from states and community groups. In 2013 Maryland passed a law, Chapter 347, requiring the governor to proclaim October as German-American Heritage Month every year and to encourage educational and cultural organizations to mark it with programs and ceremonies. Legislators in other states have passed or introduced resolutions with the same aim, and German American clubs, historical societies, churches and festivals across the country hold events throughout October.
Neither German-American Day nor the month is a public holiday.
Sources: American Presidency Project: Proclamation 5719, German-American Day, 1987, Biden White House archives: A Proclamation on German-American Day, 2024, Maryland General Assembly: HB 34 (2013), Commemorative Month, German-American Heritage Month. How we check dates.
How to mark German-American Heritage Month
- Trace German ancestors through passenger lists, naturalization papers and church records available from the National Archives and many public libraries.
- Visit Germantown in Philadelphia or a German heritage museum, historic district or cultural society near you.
- Learn a few phrases of German, or a regional dialect such as Pennsylvania Dutch, through a free course or app.
- Cook a family or regional German dish and record the recipe and the story behind it.
- Attend an October cultural festival, concert or lecture run by a German American club; if alcohol is served, follow the legal drinking age, never drink and drive, and look for alcohol-free options.
German-American Heritage Month dates
| Year | Dates |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Wed, Oct 1 – Fri, Oct 31 |
| 2026 | Thu, Oct 1 – Sat, Oct 31 |
| 2027 | Fri, Oct 1 – Sun, Oct 31 |
| 2028 | Sun, Oct 1 – Tue, Oct 31 |
| 2029 | Mon, Oct 1 – Wed, Oct 31 |
| 2030 | Tue, Oct 1 – Thu, Oct 31 |
| 2031 | Wed, Oct 1 – Fri, Oct 31 |
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Frequently asked questions
When is German-American Heritage Month 2026?
German-American Heritage Month 2026 is Thu, Oct 1, 2026 – Sat, Oct 31, 2026. It falls on the whole of October. In 2027, it is on Friday, October 1, 2027.
Is German-American Heritage Month the same as German-American Day?
They are related but different. German-American Day is October 6, set by Congress in 1987 and proclaimed by presidents each year. German-American Heritage Month stretches the celebration across October and is recognized mainly by states such as Maryland and by community groups.
Why is German-American Day on October 6?
On October 6, 1683, 13 German families arrived in Philadelphia and founded Germantown, the first German settlement in the American colonies.
How many Americans have German ancestry?
President Biden's 2024 German-American Day proclamation cited 40 million German Americans, making German one of the largest ancestry groups in the country.
Is German-American Heritage Month a public holiday?
No. German-American Heritage Month is an observance, not a public holiday, so schools, banks, government offices and most businesses keep their normal hours.