Herman the German

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Hermann Monument in New Ulm, Minnesota.
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Hermann Monument in New Ulm, Minnesota.

Hermann the German is the local name for a statue erected in the German-founded community of New Ulm, Minnesota. The statue, officially named Hermann Monument, arrived in New Ulm in 1890 and was dedicated in 1897. This statue commemmorates the Germanic victory over the Romans at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, a symbol of German patriotism and pride. In 1875, the similar Hermannsdenkmal, a statue paid for largely out of private funds, was completed in Detmold to commemorate the battle. It is the 3rd largest copper statue in the United States after the Statue of Liberty and the "Portlandia" in Portland, Oregon. The statue is named for the victorious German general Arminius, whose name is germanicized to Hermann. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Herman the German was also the nickname of a floating crane seized from Germany by the US after World War II. In 1980, its 400 ton lifting capacity was used most prominently for the lifting of the Spruce Goose out of the water and 15 months later on to a barge. The crane's hull classification symbol was YD 171 and it has since been stricken on September 19, 1994.

Herman ze German was a 1985 album by Scorpions (band) drummer Herman Rarebell.

Herman the German was also a character played by Fred Grandy in the 1975 cult classic movie, Death Race 2000


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