Discover more about the famous traditional annual US parade, which is dedicated to the outstanding officer Friedrich von Steuben. Thanks to his contribution, America won its independence. More details about the Von Steuben Day, namely about the creation of the parade and its activities, read on manhattanski.
Foundation
The Von Steuben Day Parade is an annual traditional parade in the US, which is organized every third Saturday of September. It is organized in many cities. The main location is Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. It was created to honor the outstanding personality of the Prussian military officer Friedrich Wilhelm August Heinrich Ferdinand von Steuben. Thanks to him, America won over the British and gained independence.
The parade was founded in 1957 and first took place on the streets of Queens. The following year, the event moved to 86th Street in Yorkville. Later, Fifth Avenue became the main location. It began on Fifth Avenue, moved towards 86th Street and headed to First Avenue. Because of these events, 86th Street was often called ‘German Boulevard’. There were many German venues, confectioneries, beer gardens, farms, etc. This event became one of the largest events of German-American culture.
Further activities of the Von Steuben Day: modern situation
The modern Von Steuben Day Parade follows a slightly changed trajectory, as it now begins on Fifth Avenue and ends on 86th Street. It features many participants, including representatives of the German Language Club of the Military Academy of West Point and various organizations from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, as well as Canada and the United States, dressed in their traditional clothes. Women mostly wore the dirndl, a feminine dress originating from the German-speaking regions of the Alps. Men wore the traditional leather breeches, worn by men in Southern Germany, Austria, Bavaria, South Tyrol and Slovenia. It should be noted that during the event one or more Grand Marshals, i.e. American citizens of German descent or German citizens with a special connection to the US, were necessarily honored. In 1948-1949, the following people received this status: Colonel Gale Seymour Halvorsen, businessman Duncan L. Niederauer and actor Ralph Rudolf Moeller. In 2007, diplomat Henry Alfred Kissinger became a marshal. In 2009, this status was received by event co-founder Ted Dengler, businessman Christian Wilhelm Erich Haub and politician Michael E. McMahon. Former grand marshals were George Elmer Pataki, Rudolph William Louis Giuliani, Norbert Schramm, Louis Joseph Freeh, John Roland, Eric Braeden, Carol Ann Alt, George Michael Steinbrenner III, Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn, Donald John Trump, etc. Among the guests were also three presidents of Germany, namely Johannes Rau, Richard Karl Freiherr von Weizsäcker and Walter Scheel. In addition to the above-mentioned persons, Bernhard Vogel, Kurt Hans Biedenkopf and Erwin Teufel were also present.
It is important to note that in addition to the main ceremony, there is also a beer festival with live music in Central Park. There are numerous traditional German dishes, as well as a variety of drinks.