The contributions by German immigrants to the United States—from Kindergarten to space explorations, from 1683 until today—are explored in the 90-minute TV documentary The German Americans. It will be shown in the Washington metropolitan area on Wednesday, March 7^th, during prime time, by WETA-TV 26, the public television station.

From the struggle for the freedom of the press to the introduction of their Christmas customs, German immigrants have influenced all aspects of American culture. Families who left the Heimatland in search of opportunities set the stage for America’s early economic growth as stewards of the land, stanch laborers and leaders in almost every American industry.

This film illustrates German-American history and culture by means of archival and family photos, drawings and films, as well as personal recollections. Prominent German-Americans and historians relate their personal story and talk about the German-American experience. These include Mrs. Susan Eisenhower, the grand daughter of Dwight D. Eisenhower; Günther Blobel, recent Nobel Price winner in cell biology; actor Eric Braden of The Young and the Restless; Professor Ernestine Schlant-Bradley, the wife of Senator Bradley; the Honorable Ute Wolff-Lally, Justice of the New York Supreme Court; Erich Kunzel, conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra; and John Roland, anchor of New York Fox News. Several Washingtonians also appear in the documentary that was shot by WLIW, New York.

This film also highlights German Americans who embodied the spirit of the German work ethic and philosophy and became true American icons, from President Eisenhower to Babe Ruth, from Albert Einstein to Charles Schulz.

The German Americans celebrates the ties that still bond members of the largest ethnic group in the United States to the old culture after generations in this country. This film is almost as richly layered as a Schumann composition and as uplifting as the folk music still sung by many a Sängerbund today.

Don’t miss this film which reveals the hidden story of Germans in their new Heimatland Amerika.

The station that will air The German Americans on March 7^th is WETA TV 26, 2775 South Quincy Street, Arlington, Virginia 22206. Tel. 703-998-2600, Fax 703-998-3401.

Gary Carl Grassl, President

The German-American Heritage Society of Greater Washington, D.C.