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Archive: 2017 (25 Posts)

Ornate red and ivory wall decoration, with plaque and symbols

Standardization and the Law

Posted by: Jenny Gesley

On December 22, 1917—100 years ago today—the German Institute for Standardization (Deutsches Institut für Normung, DIN) was founded. DIN develops the content of standards and coordinates the work of other bodies involved in the process. It is organized as a private non-profit organization and has entered into an agreement with the German government to be recognized …

Ornate red and ivory wall decoration, with plaque and symbols

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree, how much tax do I owe for thee?

Posted by: Jenny Gesley

It is generally believed that the modern Christmas tree tradition originated in Germany in the 16th century. (William D. Crump, The Christmas Encyclopedia (2001)). Thus, it makes sense that Christmas trees first started appearing in the United States in the 1830s when German settlers in Pennsylvania put them on display. (Id.) As we enter the holiday season, …

Ornate red and ivory wall decoration, with plaque and symbols

An Interview with Ammar Alsallumi, Foreign Law Intern

Posted by: Jenny Gesley

Today’s interview is with Ammar Alsallumi, a foreign law intern working with George Sadek on research related to the laws of Arabic-speaking countries. Describe your background. What is your academic/professional history? I obtained my bachelor degree in law (LL.B) from the Islamic University of Medina located in al-Medina al-Mounaura, West of Saudi Arabia. During my undergraduate …

Ornate red and ivory wall decoration, with plaque and symbols

German Family (Heritage) Books

Posted by: Jenny Gesley

Lately, I have become very interested in genealogy research as have many other people judging from the numerous websites, databases, guides, and other resources dedicated to that topic. To get my family history research started, I interviewed my parents who directed me to our family (heritage) book. What are Family Books? In Germany, events like births, marriages, …

Ornate red and ivory wall decoration, with plaque and symbols

The Peace of Westphalia

Posted by: Jenny Gesley

On October 24, 1648, the Peace of Westphalia formally ended the Thirty Years’ War in Europe. The Peace of Westphalia consists of two different documents, the Peace Treaty of Osnabrück (Instrumentum pacis Osnabrugensis)  between the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation (HRE) and Sweden, and the Peace Treaty of Münster (Instrumentum Pacis Monasteriensis)  between …

Ornate red and ivory wall decoration, with plaque and symbols

Attorney Advertising in Germany

Posted by: Jenny Gesley

On July 14, 1987, the German Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht, BVerfG) rendered two decisions that paved the way to allowing attorney advertising in Germany. Nicknamed the “Bastille decisions” because of the date and their ”revolutionary character,” the decisions allowed attorneys for the first time to advertise their services to the public on a regular basis although several …