Objekt des Monats
Jedes Objekt in der Sammlung des Deutschen Auswandererhauses erzählt eine ganz persönliche Auswanderungs- oder Einwanderungsgeschichte. In dieser Rubrik stellen wir Ihnen jeden Monat ein anderes Objekt vor – eine Fotografie, ein Dokument oder ein persönliches Erinnerungsstück.
August 2025
Graduation Cap, 1969
Historical Context
While traditional English universities like Oxford and Cambridge mandated the wearing of gowns during graduation ceremonies as early as the 14th century, graduation caps only gained popularity in Europe in the 15th century. Many scholars today believe that the biretta, a type of headwear used by Roman Catholic clergy, served as an inspiration for this.
In the USA, the use of academic regalia begins at universities like Harvard and Yale; by the late 19th century, efforts are made to standardize the color and style of graduation attire nationwide. However, not all institutions adopt these predefined standards, and as a result, various styles still exist today. Furthermore, graduation ceremonies featuring corresponding academic garb often occur in the USA even right after high school.
For all degree levels, there is a common tradition: in the center of the headwear, the graduation caps, there is a button to which a tassel is attached. These tassels are traditionally worn on the right side of the cap during the graduation ceremonies and are moved to the left after receiving diplomas.
Short Biography
Karin Bubbly is born in 1951 as the child of a German immigrant in New Jersey. Her mother fell in love with an American occupation soldier after World War II and followed him to the USA in 1947. During several visits to Germany, Karin gets to know and love her mother’s old homeland. At the age of 15, she decides to emigrate to this country after completing her schooling. About two years later, it happens: in June 1969, Karin graduates from Clifton Senior High School, and in October, she boards the “SS United States” in New York.
Karin Bubbly on her graduation day, 1969
The young woman finds an apartment in Bremen and a job as a data typist at Mercedes Benz AG. However, Karin is curious and says today, “I wanted to get to know the world.” She applies to be a flight attendant, is hired by Condor Airlines in 1974, and moves to Frankfurt. Nevertheless, she remains connected to Bremen, as her younger brother Ralph now lives there, and it is where the young woman meets her future husband. The couple builds a house near Bremen, and Karin ends her work at Condor in 1984. She reapplies at Mercedes Benz (now Daimler Chrysler) in Bremen—this time as a hostess for the customer area. She stays there until her early retirement in 2007.
Significance of the Object
Her graduation cap is a very special keepsake for Karin Bubbly, as it marks the end of her schooling and, as for many students, the beginning of her adult life. However, for her, it is also linked to another milestone in her life because with her diploma in hand, she can finally fulfill her long-held dream: emigration to Germany.
Do You Also Have …
… a story of emigration or immigration in your family that you would like to share with the German Emigration Center together with the related objects and documents for its collection? Then please contact Dr. Tanja Fittkau by phone at +49 471 / 90 22 0 – 0
or by e-mail at: t.fittkau@dah-bremerhaven.de