Oktoberfest
The Munich Oktoberfest, traditionally, takes place during the sixteen days up to and including the first Sunday in October on an area named the Theresienwiese (field, or meadow, of Therese), often called d’ Wiesn for short.
In 1994, the schedule was modified in response to German reunification so that if the first Sunday in October falls on the 1st or 2nd, then the festival will go on until October 3 (German Unity Day). Thus, the festival is now 17 days when the 1st Sunday is October 2 and 18 days when it is October 1.
History
The original "Oktoberfest" occurred in Munich, on October 18, 1810. For the commemoration of their marriage, Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen (namesake of the Theresienwiese festival grounds) organized a great horse race.
To honor the marriage of King Ludwig I and Therese of Bavaria, a parade took place for the first time in 1835. Since 1850, this has become a yearly event and an important component of the Oktoberfest. 8,000 people—mostly from Bavaria—in traditional costumes walk from Maximilian Street, through the centre of Munich, to the Oktoberfest. The march is led by the Münchner Kindl.
In 1880, the electric light illuminated over 400 booths and tents. In 1881, booths selling bratwursts opened. Beer was first served in glass mugs in 1892.
At the end of the 19th century, a re-organization took place. Until then, there were games of skittles, large dance floors, and trees for climbing in the beer booths. They wanted more room for guests and musicians. The booths became beer halls.
In the year 1910, Oktoberfest celebrated its 100th birthday. 120,000 litres of beer were poured.
From 1914 to 1918, World War I prevented the celebration of Oktoberfest. From 1939 to 1945, due to World War II, no Oktoberfest took place. Since its beginnings the Oktoberfest has thus been cancelled 24 times due to war, disease and other emergencies.
Since 1950, there has been a traditional festival opening: A twelve gun salute and the tapping of the first keg of Oktoberfest beer at 12:00 by the incumbent Mayor of Munich with the cry "O'zapft is!" ("It's tapped!") opens the Oktoberfest. The Mayor then gives the first beer to the Minister-President of the State of Bavaria.
By 1960, the Oktoberfest had turned into an enormous world-famous festival. After this foreigners began to picture Germans as wearing the Sennerhut, Lederhosen, and the girls in Dirndl. Horse races ended in 1960. It is customary for people during the Oktoberfest to wear cowboy shaped hats, which contain a tuft of goat hair.
Today, a large mid-way and fair accompany Oktoberfest in Munich, the largest celebration of its kind in the world. The festival extends over two weeks and ends on the first Sunday of October.