On this day in Austrian-American history, Charles I of Austria, the final Habsburg Emperor of Austria-Hungary, dies in exile in Portugal. Movements in Europe, and recently the US, have sought to elevate Charles to sainthood, with Pope John Paul II, beatifying in the category of “blessed” in 2004.

On this day, Franz Joseph Haydn was born. The “Father of the Symphony” mentored Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and taught Ludwig van Beethoven. Massachusetts later became a hub for early U.S. premieres of his works. #AustrianHistory #ClassicalMusic #AustrianAmerican #MusicHistory #Symphony

On this day, thousands in Vienna attended the funeral of Ludwig van Beethoven—with 10k–30k mourners. His influence had already reached the U.S., with performances as early as 1805. #Beethoven #ClassicalMusic #History #OnThisDay #MusicHistory

In our latest blog, Thomas Antonic revisits Allen Ginsberg, Peter Orlovsky & Steven Taylor shaking conservative Austria. A rare Graz recording by Austrian Broadcasting Corporation captures a counterculture moment. botstiberbiaas.org/allen-ginsbe...

On March 24, 1874, Erik Weisz, better known as Harry Houdini, was born in Budapest. The son of a rabbi, Houdini emigrated with his family to Wisconsin at the age of four and achieved international fame for his dangerous stunts and escaping from chains, straightjackets, prison cells, and more!

On this day in Austrian-American History, Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini met at the Brenner Pass in the Alps. This meeting formally solidified the alliance between Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, and bringing Italy to war against the United Kingdom, France, and later the United States.

Historian, author, soldier & spy Nick Reynolds shares his Habsburg roots, Austria’s impact on his life, and what Americans & Austrians can learn from each other. A fascinating journey through history & culture! www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zoa... #HistoryLovers #AustrianCulture #GlobalPerspectives

New on our blog: “Habsburg Railroad Engineers in America” Discover how Matthias Schönerer, Franz Anton von Gerstner & Carl von Ghega saw the promise of American steam power—strengthening Austrian-American ties. botstiberbiaas.org/habsburg-rai... #HabsburgEmpire #RailwayHistory #AustrianHistory

⏰ Deadline approaching! The Botstiber Institute for Austrian-American Studies seeks grant proposals on U.S.–Austria (incl. Habsburg) history. Support for archival research, books, dissertations, exhibits & media. Apply by 5 PM EST, March 31, 2026. 🔗 botstiberbiaas.org/march-31-202...

On this Day in 1984 in Austrian-American Relations: Austrian President Rudolf Kirchschläger arrived in the United States for an official state visit with US President Ronald Reagan, marking the first time the President of Austria visited the United States!

On this day, Feb 12, 1934: fighting broke out between Austria’s right-wing Dollfuss government and Socialist forces. The defeat of Social Democracy led to bans, executions, and helped pave the way to the 1938 Nazi annexation. #United States #Austria #AustrianAmerican

The 2026 Botstiber Lecture will take place May 29 at 6:30 PM at the Embassy of Austria in Washington, DC. Thomas Starlinger will present: “From the Alps to the Rocky Mountains: 250 Years of Austrian-American Relations.” More details coming soon! botstiberbiaas.org/2026-annual-...

Please join us and our co-sponsors @mcps-philsci.bsky.social and the Institute for Global Studies for an upcoming talk with Rudolf Meer, the University of Minnesota's 2026 Austrian Fulbright Visiting Professor. RSVP for the event via the QR code on the poster or the linktree in our pinned post.

🚨 Call for Research & Project Grants! The Botstiber Institute seeks proposals on the US–Austria (incl. Habsburg) relationship. Funding for archival research, books, dissertations & media projects. 🗓️ Deadline: March 31, 2026 #ResearchGrants #History #AcademicFunding #AustrianAmerican #USHistory

On this day, February 8, 1838, Henry A. Muhlenberg was appointed as the first American Minister to Vienna. From a prominent Pennsylvania family, Muhlenberg represented the beginning of formal diplomatic relations between the United States and Austria. #Austria #UnitedStates #AustrianAmerican

2026 Botstiber lecture in Austrian Studies The Jewish Community of Vienna in the Middle Ages: A Turbulent History and its Material Remains 🗓️ 4 February 🕛 Noon-2p.m. 📍223 Philosophy Hall 🔗Register for this event on our website events.berkeley.edu/ies/event/31...

Born today in 1875, Fritz Kreisler—Austrian-born, later American—toured the U.S., married an American. Beloved worldwide, he became a U.S. citizen in 1943. Hear Kreisler play “Liebesleid” — link below 🎻 www.youtube.com/watch?v=jniN...

What a fascinating conference theme - I'm already looking forward to the proceedings! Like @tamarascheer.bsky.social, I'm similarly not at a stage where I can submit, but am curious to see what emerges from the archives for this one!

True crime-ish in the A for #Austria podcast which examines the Austrian origins of criminology and criminal science and the contributions of Hans Gross and others to explore their lasting impact upon the US and beyond. #history by @botstiberinstitute.bsky.social rss.com/podcasts/the...

My review of 'Controlled Freedom: Allied Cultural Policy in Vienna, 1945–1955', edited by Oliver Rathkolb and Agnes Meisinger ( @dgb-history.bsky.social ), has been published in @ahy-history.bsky.social! @cas-umn.bsky.social @botstiberinstitute.bsky.social #Vienna www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

Botstiber Lecture Feb 4: Thomas Ertl on medieval Jewish Vienna. Noon–2pm, hybrid. Register online. 🔗Register for this event on our website events.berkeley.edu/.../310815-2....

Closing time... Call for Papers: “Habsburg International: Austrian Consuls and Consulates in the United States and Around the World" Conference: Vienna, June 25-26, 2026. Abstracts due by January 16, 2026.

Our latest blog explores Winter Olympic gold medalist Josef “Pepi” Stiegler and his lasting impact on ski culture between Austria and the U.S. botstiberbiaas.org/from-lienz-t...

Why do Austrians watch a 1963 British comedy every New Year’s Eve? Austrians & Americans share memories of Dinner for One and its quirky charm. 🎆

Christmas at Vienna’s Stephansplatz is quiet and timeless ✨ Beneath St. Stephen’s Cathedral, soft lights, candles, church bells, warm punch, and handmade gifts replace crowds and noise—an intimate, sacred moment where cold holds warmth and dark holds light.

Austria in December: Christmas markets, Krampus visits & gifts under the Tannenbaum. Hear 10 voices share their most cherished holiday traditions. 🎄

Under Karlskirche’s glowing dome, the Karlsplatz Christmas Market feels open and human—kids playing in straw, parents with hot punch, handmade gifts, soft music, and a rare pause where Vienna slows down and Christmas feels real. 🎄✨

Vienna at Christmas ✨ Wander the Wiener Christkindlmarkt: glowing City Hall, cozy stalls, gingerbread scents, and timeless winter magic. 🎄

What does an Austrian jurist have to do with the FBI? Ep 2 of A is for Austria explores Austria’s roots in criminology & their impact on the US and beyond. 🎙️ The full podcast can be heard on the links below: youtu.be/sjELQntT63Y?... rss.com/podcasts/the...

"Nearly one in ten Austrian consuls served in the United States during long 19th century, and expansion of the consular service and their activities in the U.S. accompanied the emergence of American midwestern metropoles..." Call for papers, Deadline 16 January. botstiberbiaas.org/call-for-pap...

Check out one of our most popular blogs on the 1949 Film, The Third Man!

Botstiber Institute for Austrian-American Studies offers travel fellowships (up to $1,000) to attend Austrian Studies Association Conference, Salzburg (May 2026). Papers must address aspect of US-Austria relationship, including historic Habsburg Austria. www.austrian-studies.org/travel-grants/

UC Berkeley’s Austrian Studies Program seeks a Visiting Professor to teach the 5-week Botstiber Compact Seminar in Spring 2027. Topics on Austrian lit, history, or culture welcome. For More Information, see the Link Below: ies.berkeley.edu/austrian/bot...

Prof. Heinisch dives into how Austrians and Americans see each other—smart, fun look at cross-cultural vibes. #Culture #Insight #Austria #Austrian-American #US www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhY0...

Come watch The Botstiber Institute for Austrian-American Studies' 2025 Annual Lecture on Austrian-American Affairs, featuring acclaimed Austrian journalist Hannelore Veit. www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqyL...

Check out our latest blog discussing the documentary, “The Volunteers: Mountain Rescue Brings Us Home.” See how mountain rescuing procedures were created, tested, and expanded in both Austria and the United States. A prime example of Austrian-American Relations! botstiberbiaas.org/the-ties-tha...

In this interview, a Botstiber Institute for Austrian-American Studies board member discusses key findings from our new, bi-national public-opinion survey. This comprehensive study measures how Austrians and Americans view each other today. www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBSQ...

During the legendary 1961 Vienna Summit, US President John F. Kennedy was gifted a collection of unique Pez Dispensers, only for this gift to disappear. Where did they go? Find out in our latest video covering JFK's missing Pez Dispensers. www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWzE...

If you think Halloween isn't scary enough, the latest episode of A is for Austria discusses the fascinating history of Vampires and Superstitions during the Habsburg Monarchy! Tune in for spooky details! View the full podcast in the link below: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxsh...

The Botstiber Institute for Austrian-American Studies is now accepting grant proposals up to $25,000 for research and projects that promote an understanding of the historic relationship between the United States and Austria. Deadline: March 31, 2026 botstiberbiaas.org/grants/resea...

In his "“New Conference, Familiar Community, New Challenges,” Henry Blood reflected on what it was like to conference it up with authors you've spent a career reading. Learn more from him what happened at the 2025 Central European History Convention. cehc.hypotheses.org/193

Twenty participants of the July 2025 Central European History Convention in Vienna wrote blogs about what they thought about the event: what it gave, what it promises, what it didn’t. Read what they think! (There’s a little intro to the forum by Peter Becker + myself). cehc.hypotheses.org

Thank you to ASEEES for hosting a fantastic conference in Boston! At the Botstiber panel, "Habsburg Experts between Austria-Hungary and the United States", our current research fellows presented their ongoing projects, ranging from interwar political networks to transatlantic law and cybernetics!