EU Open House 2026: Celebrating Luxembourg-American history

This year’s edition of the EU Open House took place in the particularly significant context of the America 250 celebrations, marking the semiquincentennial anniversary of the United States.

The Embassy seized the occasion to honor the deeply rooted history shared between Luxembourg and the United States. The historic bond between our two nations dates back to the 19th and early 20th centuries, when nearly one-third of Luxembourg’s population - approximately 70,000 people - embarked for the New World in pursuit of new horizons. Establishing vibrant communities across the American Midwest - most notably in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois, particularly Chicago - these emigrants forged lasting legacies while steadfastly preserving their ancestral heritage.

By spotlighting prominent figures of this diaspora, the Embassy underscored their enduring contributions to the United States, reaffirming the strong cultural and historical bridges that unite our nations today.

The centerpiece of our exhibition was the remarkable story of Bernard J. Cigrand. Born to Luxembourg immigrants, he became the visionary driving force behind one of America's most cherished traditions: Flag Day. US Flag In 1885, as a young schoolmaster in rural Wisconsin, he inspired his students with the very first Flag Day celebration on June 14 - the exact date the U.S. Congress originally adopted the Stars and Stripes in 1777. After more than thirty years of passionate campaigning, Cigrand’s dream was realized in 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed June 14 as a nationwide observance.

Did you know a Luxembourg immigrant co-founded the world-famous Mayo Clinic? Our exhibition featured Mother Mary Alfred Moes, whose leadership helped shape modern medicine as the co-founder of the Mayo Clinic. When a catastrophic tornado struck Rochester, Minnesota, in 1883, Mother Alfred saw an immediate need for permanent medical care. She approached Dr. William Worrall Mayo and his sons with a bold proposal for a joint hospital venture. By 1889, she opened St. Mary’s Hospital, laying the groundwork for an institution that is celebrated globally today as the Mayo Clinic.

Our exhibition also highlighted René Arend, a native of Wiltz who completely revolutionized the global culinary landscape. A classically trained gourmet chef who once cooked for European royalty, Arend initially resisted fast food, famously stating, "I’m a chef, I don't believe in hamburgers." However, after becoming McDonald’s very first Executive Chef in 1976, he applied his fine-dining expertise to create the world-famous Chicken McNugget. He meticulously perfected the iconic tempura batter and the original dipping sauces, turning a simple kitchen experiment into a global pop-culture phenomenon.

Historical fact: Today, the Luxembourg Embassy in Washington, D.C. is located in the very building where Grand Duchess Charlotte lived in exile during World War II - a living monument to her legacy and the deep ties between our two countries.

The Embassy welcomed close to 2,000 visitors this year. Villmools Merci to everyone who came to celebrate Luxembourg-American history with us. We extend our sincere thanks to our sponsors: Ferrero for generously providing chocolates and Ansay International for hosting a private tasting event featuring Luxembourg beverages.

See you again next year!