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Reichstag

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  Hello! Today we got to go to the Reichstag, which is the German Parliament building. We learned a lot about it from Rob, and our questions we each had to answer, before going inside! This building is where the German parliament meets. German democracy all happens here. Hitler didn’t like German democracy, which is one of the reasons they felt fine moving back into this building. When I first saw this, I thought it was a really unique building! There was a lot of cool architecture, and the dome on top was really interesting to me. I’m glad we got the ability to go up inside! As Rob and MaryAnn told us, the dome is above the legislative room, and represents that the legislature serves the people.  I believe the Reichstag is important both historically and culturally for a few reasons. First, it’s important historically because it has been the seat of the German parliament since 1894, symbolizing Germany’s political progress. As we learned, it witnessed important events like the Weima
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Cities free day - Zaanse Schans

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For my cities free day blog post, I decided to write about my free day in Amsterdam, when we went to Zaanse Schans! This was one of my favorite days, so I was really excited to get the chance to write about it! Zaanse Schans is a neighborhood in the Netherlands, known for its historic windmills and houses. It serves as an open air museum showcasing Dutch heritage from the 18th and 19th centuries (Wikipedia). There was a lot to do there! We explored the windmills and walking paths, there were different crafts and snacks, and even a few museums. The neighborhood gives visitors a glimpse into the past of the Zaan region, which was a large hub for wind-powered industries (De Zaanse Schans).   I believe Zaanse Schans is important both historically and culturally for a few reasons. First, it preserves and showcases traditional Dutch heritage. It highlights the Netherlands’ rich industrial past, specifically focusing on wind-powered production. This site educates its visitors about traditio
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Monument of choice - Brandenburg Gate

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For my monument of choice I decided to write about the Brandenburg Gate! We got the opportunity to go see this gate and learn more about it, and I thought it was super interesting. When I looked at it, I thought it was really unique. There were many pillars, all leading up to the top which was a sculpture of a woman on a carriage with four horses in front of her. As Rob told us, the woman first represented peace, but as years went on, she now represents victory. I learned a lot about this gate from Rob! Like I mentioned, the gate first symbolized peace and unity, and eventually started to symbolize victory as well. The gate stands as a tribute to all of the history Berlin went through. Napoleon's invasion, the Nazi era, as well as the division of Berlin, and then reunification in 1989. I think this gate is very special as it shows that through all the history, Germany stood victorious and managed through it!  I believe the Brandenburg Gate is important both culturally and histori
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Käthe Kollwitz

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Today we got the opportunity to learn about Käthe Kollwitz! I knew a little bit about her before coming to Berlin, and I’m so grateful I got to learn more! Rob and MaryAnn taught us a lot before going into her museum, and here’s what I learned. She was an artist, and her dad noticed her artistic talent from a young age. She had a good education for the time, and went to an art school. She didn’t love color, but she loved lithographs and charcoal. She met Karl Kollwitz, but her family didn’t want her to marry him because they thought she wouldn’t be able to do her art because she had to do housework. However, Karl did housework to make sure that didn’t happen. They had 3 sons, and one of them died in WWI. She became depressed after this and started changing the type of art she made. Repeatedly in her work after her son died were mothers with and protecting children, grieving parents, and more pacifist themes. She also believed in the idea that children should not be going off to war bec
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Berlin woman of choice - Luise Greger

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For my woman of choice in Berlin, I decided to write about Luise Greger. Today we visited where her house used to be, and where a small “monument” is on the ground to remember her. MaryAnn told us a lot about her, and I learned a ton! She was born in 1862, and when she was six she started taking piano lessons. At age 10, she was good enough that she played for the Tsar of Russia. She even started composing herself at age 12. She got married in her mid 20s to Ludwig Greger. She had three sons and was performing, playing, and teaching to add to family income. She got divorced in 1911 but still was supporting herself through these ways. She eventually got too old and moved into an old folks home because she couldn’t support herself anymore. She was euthanized by the Nazis because she was, as they saw it, not productive and didn’t do anything to society anymore.  I think there are many things that made Luise Greger’s contribution important. All of her achievements had an impact on the wo
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Lise Meitner

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Today I got the opportunity to learn about Lise Meitner! To be completely honest, I knew a little about her, but not a ton. So it was super interesting to learn more about her from MaryAnn! Maryann told us she was born in October of 1878 in Vienna. She went to the University of Austria and was the second woman to graduate from there in physics. She came up to Berlin to do experiments and have a lab. She worked with Otto Honn and together they made the discovery of nuclear fission. She was nominated for a Nobel prize 49 times and didn’t win a single one. She was invited many times to come and speak to the group, but never won a prize. Another fact about her is that she was invited to participate in the Manhattan Project. She said she wanted no part in a bomb, and said no because it was unethical. She died in 1968 from a heart attack, and on her grave it says how even though she was a scientist, she never lost her humanity.  I think there are many things that make Lise Meitner’s contri
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Skansen Open Air Museum

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Today we got the opportunity to go to the Skansen Open Air Museum! This was such a cool experience, and it was so fun. There were food spots, rides and little activities, all different types of animals, crafts, music, the list goes on and on! Rob told us that this was the first open air museum which was super interesting to learn. Once we were in, I went with a little group to get food because we were starving (hahah). We got food at this area that had a bunch of little trucks! We got to see a lot of Skansen and all that it has to offer. I thought this was such a great experience. We got to see the first open air museum, and see how it impacts Stockholm and its culture!  I believe The Skansen Open Air Museum is important both historically and culturally. It preserves and showcases traditional Swedish life, craftsmanship, architecture, and offers a link straight to the past. It features historic buildings from all across Sweden, which allows visitors to experience Swedish culture and
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