Germans in Alabama facts for kids
People from Germany have a long history in Alabama, and many German-Americans live there today. Their contributions have helped shape the state in many ways, from founding towns to building cars and even helping with space travel!
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German Roots in Alabama
In the past, many people moved from Germany to Alabama to start new lives. These immigrants brought their culture, traditions, and skills with them.
Early German Settlers
One important example of German settlement is the town of Cullman, Alabama. In 1866, German immigrants founded this town. They worked hard to build a community that reflected their heritage.
Space Exploration in Huntsville
A very famous German scientist named Wernher von Braun played a huge role in Alabama's history. He was a brilliant rocket scientist who helped establish the space industry in Huntsville, Alabama. Thanks to his work and the teams he led, Huntsville became a major center for space exploration, including the development of rockets that took humans to the Moon!
German Businesses and Jobs
German companies have also brought many jobs and businesses to Alabama. A big moment happened in 1993 when Mercedes-Benz, a famous German car company, chose Alabama for its first car assembly plant in the United States. This factory, called Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, was built near Vance, a town between Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. This decision created many jobs and boosted Alabama's economy.
German-American Churches
Religious groups also played a part in the German community. The Alabama State German Evangelical Holiness Pentecostal Church was started in 1935 in Fyffe, Alabama. It was founded by Rev. Dorothy Forrest Trumbo and her husband, Charles Ross Trumbo, after an earlier German church group in the South had ended.
