Is it true that German was almost one of the official languages of the U.S.A.? (Brian Zahn)

This is one of those legends that is continually passed along as if it were fact. Unfortunately, the facts just don't substantiate it. Here are some facts: Introduction: German as the official language of the United States of America?" in "Die deutschsprachige Presse der Amerikas / The German Language Press of the Americas," 3 (München: K. G. Saur, 1980), 1942.

There was never an attempt to make German the official language of the United States, although (1) there was a failed attempt in Congress in 1794, based on a petition of German residents of Augusta Co., Virginia, to have "a certain proportion" of the laws of the United States printed in German as well as English, and (2) beginning in 1828 ["Deutsche Sprache in Nordamerika", "Das Ausland" (Stuttgart: Cotta), 1 February 1828, 126127, and 2 February 1828, 130131], reports were circulated in the German, English, and American press of an attempt to make German an official language (alongside English) of Pennsylvania, an attempt that was supposedly defeated by only one vote (Arndt, however, was unable to find any bill or resolution proposing to make German the or an official language of the state of Pennsylvania). It is also known as the Mühlenberg legend. In "The German Americans: An Ethnic Experience" by Willi Paul Adams it reads as follows: At the root of the so-called "Mühlenberg legend" lies rather a disappointment that German was not able to hold its ground as a language of daily usage even in Pennsylvania, except within small Mennonite, Amish and other sectarian communities. During both the War of Independence and the War of 1812, at times when anti-German feelings were running high, Americans of German descent comprised less that 9% of the total population of the United States. And even in Pennsylvania, where the Germans had settled most densely, they amounted to only a third of the entire population. Colonial speakers of English fought only for their political independence. They had not stomach for an anti-English language and cultural revolution. When German language farmers in Augusta County, Virginia petitioned the U.S. House of Representatives in 1794 for a German translation of the booklet containing the laws and other government regulations copies of which had been distributed free in the English language officials simply ignored them. Even the bilingual Speaker of the House of Representatives, Frederick Augustus Conrad Mühlenberg, refused to support their modest request, arguing that the faster the Germans became American, the better. No doubt, disappointment with his negative, though realistic, posture contributed a generation later to the birth of this legend. (p.25/26)


Snippets:
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Philosophy: Hans Kueng (b. 1928), Swiss theologian, and a prolific author; formerly Roman Catholic theologian until the Vatican rescinded his authority to teach Catholic theology in 1979; rejects the doctrine of papal infallibility; initiated a project called 'Weltethos' (Global Ethic), which is an attempt to describe what the world religions have in common.
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DVD: Ocean's Eleven (2001). 117 min. Directed by Steven Soderbergh (Erin Brockovich, Sex, Lies, and Videotape). w/ George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts. Gang plans to rob Las Vegas casino with a skillful approach. Entertaining, has some good ideas, but story too one-sided. Overall rating: 5 out of 10.
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Art: Painter: Steve Hanks; American; contemporary. Portraits of women and children.
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Greek Mytology: Calypso (retold by James Hunter): Calypso was a nymph, the daughter of the Titan Atlas. She lived on the island of Ogygia. After the last of Odysseus' men had perished at sea, Odysseus himself was washed ashore on Ogygia, where Calypso became enamored of him, taking him as her lover and promising him immortality if he would stay with her. Odysseus refused her offer, wishing to return home to Ithaca and to his wife, Penelope. But Calypso refused to let him leave, and held him prisoner for seven years. Finally Athena complained of Odysseus' plight to Zeus, and Zeus sent Hermes to Ogygia to order Calypso to set Odysseus free. Calypso complied reluctantly, allowing Odysseus to construct a small boat and set sail from the island. More details.
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Art: William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905): French academic painter. Realistic genre paintings and mythological themes. Gallery.
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DVD: Mulholland Drive (2001). Directed by David Lynch. w/ Naomi Watts, Laura Harring. Jealous lesbian girl kills her less serious girlfriend. Reality and fantasy mingle. Movie is not chronological. Not easy to understand by itself. Find some help at The Modern Word. Once you've made it through the quagmire, most of it makes sense, though. Overall rating 7 out of 10.
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Music: Judith Holofernes (real name: Judith Holfelder von der Tann): Singer and song writer of the German band 'Wir Sind Helden'. Her stage name is a reference to Judith and Holofernes.
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Religion: Bible: Judith and Holofernes: from the apocryphic Book of Judith in the Old Testament. Judith, a mature and beautiful woman, saved the Jewish city Bethulia by decapitating Holofernes, an invading general of Nebuchadnezzar's army with his own sword while he was drunk. Popular subject in paintings, e.g, by Michelangelo Buonarroti, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, Gustav Klimt (Judith I), and Artemisia Gentileschi.
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DVD: Le Boucher (The Butcher, 1970). 93 min. French with English subtitles. Directed by Claude Chabrol. w/ Stephane Audran (Helene), Jean Yanne (Popaul). In a small French village, a butcher meets the respectable, pretty school teacher Helen. Then a girl is murdered, and Helen finds a clue, endangering her own life. Minimalist story, a master piece of classic suspense. Predictable, slow plot, but the pictures are enjoyable. Overall rating: 7 out of 10.
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Art: Web Gallery of Art: Virtual museum and searchable database of European painting and sculpture from 12th to mid-19th centuries. Dual view possible allows comparisons. Large images. Rich collection, but unfortunately the second half of the 19th and the 20th century are not covered.
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