“Ich bin ein Berliner”

In 1963, West Berlin and East were separated by the Berlin Wall. President Kennedy had the most overwhelming reception of his career at Berlin City Hall on 26 June, when he delivered one of his most inspired and inspiring talks:

“Two thousand years ago the proudest boast was Civis Romanus Sum. Today in the world of freedom, the proudest boast is Ich bin ein Berliner.There are many people in the world who really don´t understand, or say they don´t, what is the great issue between the free world and the communist world. Let them come to Berlin… Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in… We…look forward to that day when this city will be joined as one-and this country, and this great continent of Europe- in a peaceful and hopeful globe. When that day finally comes, as it will, the people of West Berlin can take sober satisfaction in the fact that they were in the front lines for almost two decades.

All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin, and, therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words Ich bin ein Berliner". 

This photo was taken in East Berlin (near the Wall) in 1981. Photos were not permitted. 

After the Berlin wall was dismantled (1989), we can find a piece of it in the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston or in Portland, Maine.

John F. Kennedy Library and Museum in Boston (MA) in 2000.

A piece of the Berlin Wall in Portland, Maine in 2000.

Nowadays you can buy in Berlin many souvenirs on the political issues of the 60´s.