“German Day in Texas,” recognized both nationally and internationally, was established to commemorate the arrival of the first German settlers and acknowledge the contributions made by Texans of German descent. Founded unofficially in 1889 to pay tribute to heroic German pioneers, its initial short run lasted until 1910.

It wasn’t until 1963 that the celebration became an officially recognized state institution. The first German Day Proclamation was issued on October 6th, the day German settlers landed in America. Today, “German Day in Texas” salutes German states and cities as well as cities of Texas. It also hosts the annual German Pioneer Ball, which honors Texas-German heritage.

The Texas German Day Council, which is seated in Dallas, was founded to organize and celebrate “German Day in Texas.” It is composed of representatives from German-American organizations in Texas, whose goal is to foster mutual understanding and collaboration between German and American cultures. If interested in membership, please email Tillmann Hein or Traute Malhotra.

German culture and influence were very important to the early development of Texas. During the Texas Revolution, German immigrants fought alongside the Americans to win Texas independence from Mexico. By 1860, German settlers were the largest immigrant population in the State, and for several generations Texas laws and newspapers were published in German. Today, Germans continue to be the largest European derived group in Texas, and by 1990 the United States census confirmed that 17.5% of the total state population claimed pure or partial German ancestry.

German Americans have fought in every conflict since the Civil War, and have contributed their work ethic, entrepreneurial visions, cultural traditions and artistic endeavors toward the enrichment of Texas. German Day became officially recognized when Honorary Consul and Founder, Gershon Canaan, won the support of Governor John B. Connally. It was celebrated annually at the Texas State Fair until 1996.

“German Day in Texas” owes its existence and successes to the dedicated voluntary efforts of the past and present members of the Council, and the Texas-German community at large.

Notable Guests and Honored Persons at German Day in Texas

President Dwight D. Eisenhower
German President Karl Carstens
Ambassadors Herbert von Stackelberg, Peter Hermes, and Günther van Well
Texas Governors John B. Connally and Dolph Briscoe,
German State Governors (Minister-Präsidenten) Dr. Alfons Goppel,
Dr. Franz-Josef Strauss, Dr. Gerhard Stoltenberg, and Lothar Späth,
US Representative Pete Sessions,
German Representative Dr. Tilo Braune
Mayor Sidney Henke of Fredericksburg,
Mayor Tom Leppert of Dallas,
Mayor Dr. Robert Cluck of Arlington
Mayor Thomas Helbling of Bad Königshofen, Germany
Admiral Chester W. Nimitz
General Bernard Schriever
Composer Frank van der Stucken
Flight Pioneer Jacob Brodbeck
Space Pioneer Dr. Wernher von Braun
Lufthansa’s Chairman, Heinz Ruhnau
Nobel Prize recipient Dr. Johann Deisenhofer
Ronald L. Burgess, Chairman of the Comanche Indian Tribe

Texas German Day Council Officers

Chairmen
Gershon Canaan – Founding Chairman 1963-1972, Honorary Chairman 1973
Consul Frederick M. Lange – Honorary Chairman 1965
Eugene de Kieffer – Co-Chairman 1972 and Chairman 1973
Teddy J. Trept – Executive Secretary 1963-1973, Chairman 1974-1989, Honorary Chairman 1990 and Chairman Emeritus 1991-2004
Karl Kuby – Chairman 1990
Hans Mansion – Co-Chairman 1988-1990 and Chairman 1991-2001.
J. D. Werle – Chairman 2002-2006
Gary Nelson – Executive Secretary 1979-2002, Co-Chairman 2003-2006, 2010-present and Chairman 2007-2009
Tillmann Hein – Co-Chairman 2007-2009, Chairman 2010-present

Co-Chairmen
James Gerhard – Co-Chairman 1963, 1965-1971
Consul Frederick M. Lange – Co-Chairman 1964
Frank Norton – Co-Chairman 1975, 1987
Joseph Rucker, Jr. – Co-Chairman 1992-2002
Carmen Ramirez – Co-Chairman 2011-present

Treasurers
Clarence Talley – Treasurer 1963-1977
Charles Heck – Treasurer 1978-1999
Kirsten Holzmeier – Treasurer 1999-2002 and Executive Secretary 2003-2007
Hazel Nelson – Treasurer 2003-present

Executive Secretaries
Rayburn Hahn – Executive Secretary 2008-present

Recording Secretaries
Heidi van Hulst – Recording Secretary 1963-1969
Annette Bales – Recording Secretary 1970-1979
Karola LeMieux – Recording Secretary 1980-1999
Rita Dubester – Recording Secretary 2000-2003
Barbara Woitalla – Recording Secretary 2004-2009
Traute Malhotra – Recording Secretary 2010-present