On June 26, 1963, President Kennedy gave a speech in West Berlin, confirming support of the United States for West Germany after the Soviet-supported East Germany erected the Berlin Wall.
Considered one of Kennedy’s best speeches and a notable moment of the Cold War, it was a great morale boost for West Berliners who feared possible East German occupation. Speaking to an audience of 450,000, Kennedy said, “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!'”
“JFK” premieres November 11 & 12 on PBS.
