Contemporary Witnesses, Politics, West, East

Kennedy and Khrushchev in Berlin

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The Cold War is raging. US President John F. Kennedy arrives in West Berlin in the morning of 26 June 1963. As he drives through the walled-in city, excited Berliners line the streets and give him a rapturous welcome. Children are given the day off school and businesses are closed. A reported 1.5 million people have come out to get a glimpse of Kennedy. His visit culminates with a speech in front of Schöneberg Town Hall, at that time the official seat of Berlin's mayor Willy Brandt and his successors. It is here that the young president and bearer of hope for West Berliners utters the legendary words "ich bin ein Berliner" to huge applause and cheers from the crowd.

Just two days after Kennedy, the GDR authorities retaliate by inviting Kremlin leader Nikita Khrushchev on a state visit to East Berlin. But the East Berliners' enthusiasm for Khrushchev is muted in comparison...

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  • Berlin-West, Rathaus Schöneberg
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  • Berlin-West, Flughafen Tempelhof
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  • Berlin-West, Café Kranzler
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  • Berlin-Ost, Brandenburger Tor
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    13.3778286
  • Berlin-Ost, Flughafen Schönefeld
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    52.38838247
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  • Berlin-Ost, Rotes Rathaus
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    173
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    52.518615
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