"Ich bin ein Berliner"
What did John F. Kennedy actually say in Berlin, Germany on June 26, 1963?
Well, he really meant to say: "I am a Berliner". But what he actually said was: "I am a jelly doughnut." A Berliner is a German, jam-filled pastry. (Look at the photo of Berliners for sale in a bakery.)
Despite this slight mistake, there was not confusion about Kennedy's message to the people of free West Berlin. He spoke of freedom and democracy of the west. But he also spoke of the evils of communism taking root in various countries around the world.
Remember, he was speaking in West Berlin and the Berlin Wall was only a few yards away. Why do you think the people of West Berlin were so excited to see President Kennedy speak to them?
President Kennedy spoke in Berlin in June, 1963. In November 1963, he would be assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald, in Dallas, Texas.
Just wondering, how do you think George W. Bush would be received in Berlin today? Do you think he would have a wildly enthusiastic audience in front of him? Why or why not?
Watch this now!
Schnell!
1 comment:
I just finished watching JFK's speech at the Berlin Wall and was amazed to see the amount of people there. I had not seen the footage in quite some time and the outpouring of support for democracy is obvious. I love jelly doughnuts too! The classroom photos from Friday were sooooo great! I am sorry I missed it. It looked like a great day!
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