March 22, 1776

The German Society of Pennsylvania was founded in Philadelphia in 1764 with a mission to provide support to German immigrants. Lutheran minister Henry Muhlenberg described the formation of the society in his journal. As translated from the German manuscript, Muhlenberg wrote on Christmas Eve that “a number of German inhabitants of various denominations here are banding together and forming, as their printed plan says, a German society ‘for the assistance and support of poor aliens from the German nation,’ who have come in such great numbers this year and may continue to come in future.” The society continues to serve the German American community in Philadelphia to this day.

This announcement in the Staatsbote publicized a meeting for members of the German Society at the Lutheran school house in Philadelphia for the Feast of the Annunciation, on March 25. This Christian feast day commemorates the visit of the angel Gabriel to Mary, the mother of Jesus. 

Pennsylvanischer Staatsbote
Printed by Benjamin Towne

☞ Die Dentsche Gesellschaft kommt Montags den 25sten dieses, als am Maria Verkündigungs-Tage Vormittags um Neun Uhr im Lutherischen Schulhause zusammen. Alle Mitglieder werden ersucht sich einzufinden.

Auf Order des Herrn Presidenten, 
Michael Schubart, Secretär.