# data[].attributes.body
The Berlin wall was erected by the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) as a means to split West and East Berlin. They were a communist government and built the wall to keep "fascists Westerns" from entering East Germany. This was during the time of the cold war.
East Berlin was ruled by the Soviet Sector and West Berlin was ruled by French, British and American Sector.
This divide lasted from 1961 to 1989.
On November 9, 1989, as the cold war started to dissipate, the communist party decided that residents of  East Berlin can cross over to West Berlin.
It wasn't until October 3, 1990 was East and West Germany reunified.
https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/berlin-wall

# data[].attributes.body
The capital of Bavaria and is located in southern Germany.
Home to the annual Oktoberfest celebration.
Oktoberfest is a two week long celebration starting at the end of September to the first Sunday of October.
It was a celebration between the marriage of the crown prince of Bavaria and Princess Therese Von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.
People around the world travel to Munich to celebrate Oktoberfest which is filled with activities. What is mostly sought out during Oktoberfest is the different beers from the different breweries within Munich.

# data[].attributes.body
Hochzeitslader - An individual who would go from intended invited guest's house to deliver them the invitation.
Polterabend - Family and friends break old porcelain as a method of bringing good lucky and banishing evil spirits. The bride and groom must clean it up together which helps form a sense of unity.
Kidnapping of the bride - Friends will kidnap the bride and the groom must look for the bride.
Spitzwecken - 10 ft. long cake served at the wedding. Usually held by 10 men or women. The tradition is to try to get the cake into the room.
Sawing wood - At the end of the ceremony, the married couple can saw a piece of wood. This reflects how they must work together throughout their marriage.
Rice - After the wedding, rice will be thrown at the bride and groom as they are leaving the hall. The amount of rice that stays on the bride's hair is said to be the number of kids they will have.

# data[].attributes.body
Baby showers are very uncommon within Germany since they believe that it is unlucky to celebrate before the child is actually born.
Germany has a naming pattern that uses different variations but mostly follows this chart.
Baby names must be approved by the standesamt (local registration office).
Names can not be offensive or a last name. They must indicate a gender.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Changeling Legend
There is a folklore about newborn babies being placement with a creature known as a changeling.
These are the recommendations for protecting your child from changelings.
"

1. Placing a key next to an infant will prevent him from being exchanged.

2. Women may never be left alone during the first six weeks following childbirth, for the devil then has more power over them.

3. During the first six weeks following childbirth, mothers may not go to sleep until someone has come to watch the child. If mothers are overcome by sleep, changelings are often laid in the cradle. To prevent this one should lay a pair of men's pants over the cradle.

4. Whenever the mother leaves the infant's room she should lay an article of the father's clothing on the child, so that it cannot be exchanged."
Jacob Grimm, Deutsche Mythologie, 4th ed. (1877), v. 3, pp. 450-460 (items 484, 509, 510, 744).

# data[].attributes.body
image:https://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/germany-population

# data[].attributes.headline
The Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)

# data[].attributes.subject
The Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor)

# data[].attributes.body
Was one a symbol of division but now a symbol of unity and peace.

# data[].attributes.body
Is the capital of Germany, which is located in the Northern Central Plain.
Many artifacts and monuments are found throughout Berlin. Many during times of war.
Such artifacts and monuments include the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall, Reichstag, Charlottenburg Palace and Park, The Gendarmenmarkt,  Holocaust Memorial, and the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.

# data[].attributes.body
The main religion practiced in Germany is Christianity. Approximately 29% identify as Roman-Catholic and 27% as Protestant. However, the largest singular group at approximately 37% identify as non-religious, which includes Atheism and Agnosticism (Elkins & Lawrence, 2020).

# data[].attributes.body
The official language of Germany is German, also known as Standard German. There are also a few recognized minority languages that make up a very small percentage of speakers. These minority languages include: Danish, Romani, Upper Sorbian, Lower Sorbian, North Frisian, and Saterland Frisian. English is usually taught as a second language in school. The main dialects of German are High German, Upper German, Central German, and Lower German (Elkins & Lawrence, 2020).

# data[].attributes.body
Education is very important to the German culture. Education after the age of 6 is mandatory and public education is free. Control of education is determined at a state level and not by the entire government. But as a country there is a push for uniform curriculum and standards (Kotthoff, 2011).

# data[].attributes.body
Traditional German foods are often described as rich and hearty, usually favoring lots of meats and starches. Popular German dishes you may have heard of include  "Schnitzel", a thin slice of meat that is breaded and then fried, and "Wurst" which translates to sausage. It is a common tradition for families to eat together as a household on Sunday's especially during lunch time. There is another common tradition of "kaffee and kuchen" which means afternoon coffee and cake in English (Heinzelmann, 2008).
image:https://thatanxioustraveller.com/germany-austria-7-foods-you-must-try/

# data[].attributes.body
Germany has a rich history in music dating back to the 17th century.  Some famous German classical composers include Johann Sebastian Bach of the Baroque period, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart of the Classical Era, and Ludwig Van Beethoven of the Romantic era. Volksmusik, which translates to "folk's music", is a traditional music genre in Germany and other German speaking countries. It may contain acoustic instruments, such as guitars and harmonicas, along with singing that may include yodeling. (Elkins & Lawrence, 2020).
image:https://www.nws.edu/news/beethoven-7-the-soundtrack-of-life/

# data[].attributes.body
"A place of contemplation, a place of remembrance and warning."

# data[].attributes.body
Elkins, T., & Lawrence, D. (2020). Germany. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany

Heinzelmann, U. (2008). Food Culture in Germany. ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu

Kotthoff, H. G. (2011). Between excellence and equity: the case of the german education system.