--- title: "With Kennedy through Germany" date: 2022-12-13 last_modified: 2025-06-20T09:32:39+02:00 generated_at: 2026-05-15T02:16:46Z url: "https://www.stadtmuseum.de/en/story/with-kennedy-through-germany" description: "Pictures of the US President's visit in June 1963, at the height of which Kennedy proclaimed in front of Schöneberg Town Hall: ‘Ich bin ein Berliner!’" image: "https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/01-03-wahn-sm_2013-1032118eeba.jpg" language: "en-US" --- # With Kennedy through Germany Kennedy with Chancellor Konrad Adenauer. © Stadtmuseum Berlin | Rolf Goetze Archive | reproduction: Die Kulturgutscanner ![Zwei Männer in einem Auto](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/john-f-kennedy-konrad-adenauer-1-e1665577462628-300x222.jpg) ## A journey though pictures It was one of the most sensational events in German post-war history: US President John F. Kennedy’s visit to Germany in June 1963 and its sensational culmination in West Berlin. The final sentence of his speech, which was heard by around 450,000 people who were gathered at the square in front of the Schöneberg Town Hall, is legendary to this day: “Ich bin ein Berliner”. ![]() ![Die Ankunft von J.F.Kennedy](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/01-01-wahn-sm_2013-103210.jpg) After his arrival at Cologne Bonn Wahn Airport, 23/6/1963. ![Begrüßungsrede von Bundeskanzler im Flughafen](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/01-02-wahn-sm_2013-103217.jpg) Welcoming speech by Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, 23/6/1963On the 50th anniversary of the event on 26th June 2013, the Stadtmuseum Berlin presented a selection of photographs from Kennedy's visit to Germany in the Schöneberg Town Hall which had never been shown in public before. They were part of the Berlin journalist Rolf Goetze’s (1921-1988) estate. Rolf Goetze was one of the very few to have documented this major media event in colour. His work, which captured the effects of the state visit, is fascinating. Unlike the photographs taken by his colleagues, his pictures have never been used by agencies. Here you are given the exclusive opportunity to see them in a picture gallery. ![wartende Geistliche vor dem Kölner Dom](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/02-03-koeln-sm_2013-103227-300x202.jpg) Auf die Ankunft des Präsidenten zur Messe im Kölner Dom wartende Geistliche, 23.6.1963. © Stadtmuseum Berlin | Rolf Goetze Archive | reproduction: Die Kulturgutscanner ![Schutzpolizisten auf den Pferden](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/02-02-koeln-sm_2013-103228-300x197.jpg) Citizens of Cologne and mounted police officers waiting in front of a platform set up for media representatives at the cathedral, 23/6/1963. © Stadtmuseum Berlin | Rolf Goetze Archive | reproduction: Die Kulturgutscanner ![Begrüßung Kennedys vor Eintritt in den Kölner Dom](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/02-04-koeln-sm_2013-103229-300x194.jpg) Welcoming Kennedy before entering the Cologne Cathedral, 23/6/1963. ![Eines der vielen amerikafreundlichen Transparente, die Kennedys Reiseroute säumten, 23.6.1963.](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/03-02-bonn-sm_2013-103235-300x197.jpg) One of the many pro-American banners which lined the streets along Kennedy’s route, 23/6/1963. © Stadtmuseum Berlin | Rolf Goetze Archive | reproduction: Die Kulturgutscanner ![Wartende in Festtracht](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/03-01-bonn-sm_2013-1032123-300x194.jpg) Waiting in festive attire in front of the Sternhotel at the Bonn Marktplatz, 23/6/1963. © Stadtmuseum Berlin | Rolf Goetze Archive | reproduction: Die Kulturgutscanner ![Eine junge Frau verkauft auf dem Bonner Marktplatz Briefmarken, 23.6.1963.](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/03-03-bonn-sm_2013-103238-300x196.jpeg) A young woman selling stamps at the Bonn Marktplatz, 23/6/1963. ![Empfang im Palais Schaumburg in Bonn beim Bundespräsidenten Heinrich Lübke mit Konrad Adenauer](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/03-06-bonn--300x196.jpeg) Reception at Villa Hammerschmidt in Bonn with President Heinrich Lübke and Konrad Adenauer, 24/6/1963. © Stadtmuseum Berlin | Rolf Goetze Archive | reproduction: Die Kulturgutscanner ![Aufmerksame Zuhörer von Kennedys Rede in Bonn](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/03-05-bonn-sm_2013-103243-300x195.jpeg) People listening attentively to Kennedy’s speech in Bonn, 23/6/1963. © Stadtmuseum Berlin | Rolf Goetze Archive | reproduction: Die Kulturgutscanner © Stadtmuseum Berlin | Rolf Goetze Archive | reproduction: Die Kulturgutscanner ![Nach der Ankunft auf dem amerikanischen Militärflughafen Fliegerhorst Hanau, 25.6.1963.](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/04-01-hanau-sm_2013-103266-300x195.jpeg) ![Abfahrt mit der eingeflogenen Staatskarosse des US-Präsidenten, einem Ford Lincoln Continental, 25.6.1963.](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/04-02-hanau-sm_2013-103273_0-300x194.jpeg) After his arrival at the American military airfield in Hanau, 25/6/1963. Departing in the US President’s state carriage, a Ford Lincoln Continental, which had been flown in, 25/6/1963. ![Kennedy spricht in der Paulskirche Frankfurt](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/05-01-frankfurt-sm_2013-103286-300x194.jpeg) Kennedy speaking at the Paulskirche Church in Frankfurt, 25/6/1963. © Stadtmuseum Berlin | Rolf Goetze Archive | reproduction: Die Kulturgutscanner ![Begrüßung auf dem Rollfeld mit Bundeskanzler Konrad Adenauer und dem Regierenden Bürgermeister Willy Brandt](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/06-02-berlin-sm_2013-1032103-300x197.jpeg) Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and Governing Mayor Willy Brandt welcoming him on the tarmac , 26/6/1963. © Stadtmuseum Berlin | Rolf Goetze Archive | reproduction: Die Kulturgutscanner ![RIAS-Direktor und Dolmetscher Robert H. Lochner, John F. Kennedy und Willy Brandt in Tegel, 26.6.1963.](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/06-04-berlin-sm_2013-1032100-300x195.jpeg) RIAS director and interpreter Robert H. Lochner, John F. Kennedy and Willy Brandt at Tegel, 26/6/1963. ![Freudig erregte Berliner am Breitscheidplatz](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/06-06-berlin-sm_2013-1032108-300x197.jpeg) Happy excited Berliners at Breitscheidplatz, 26/6/1963. © Stadtmuseum Berlin | Rolf Goetze Archive | reproduction: Die Kulturgutscanner ![Kennedy, Brandt und Adenauer bei ihrer umjubelten Fahrt durch Berlin](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/06-05-berlin-sm_2013-1032104-300x196.jpeg) Kennedy, Brandt and Adenauer during their much-celebrated drive through Berlin, 26/6/1963. © Stadtmuseum Berlin | Rolf Goetze Archive | reproduction: Die Kulturgutscanner ![Der Fahrzeugkonvoi mit Blick zur Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche, 26.6.1963.](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/06-07-berlin-sm_2013-1032106-300x194.jpeg) ![Das mit Fahnen verhängte Brandenburger Tor und die Tafel mit einem Apell der DDR-Regierung an Kennedy, 26.6.1963.](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/06-08-berlin-sm_2013-1032142-300x196.jpeg) The convoy of vehicles close to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, 26/6/1963. The Brandenburg Gate draped with flags and a board bearing an appeal from the GDR government to Kennedy, 26/6/1963. ![Euphorische Begrüßungsgesten bei Kennedys Besuch am Checkpoint Charlie](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/06-10-berlin-sm_2013-1032143-300x191.jpeg) Enthusiastic reception during Kennedy's visit to Checkpoint Charlie, 26/6/1963. © Stadtmuseum Berlin | Rolf Goetze Archive | reproduction: Die Kulturgutscanner ![Am Rande der Fahrt zum Rathaus Schöneberg,](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/06-11-berlin-sm_2013-1032105-300x195.jpeg) On the way to the Schöneberg Town Hall, 26/6/1963. © Stadtmuseum Berlin | Rolf Goetze Archive | reproduction: Die Kulturgutscanner ![Vom Knirps bis zum Rentner begrüßen alle Generationen den Staatsgast, 26.6.1963.](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/06-12-berlin-sm_2013-1032149-300x195.jpeg) From toddlers to pensioners, people of every generation welcomed the state visitor, 26/6/1963. ![Kennedy mit Adenauer und Brandt beim Betreten des Schöneberger Rathauses, 26.6.1963.](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/06-15-berlin-sm_2013-1032110-300x198.jpeg) At the Schöneberg Town Hall, which was the seat of the West Berlin government since the city’s division, 26/6/1963. © Stadtmuseum Berlin | Rolf Goetze Archive | reproduction: Die Kulturgutscanner ![Am Rathaus Schöneberg, seit der Spaltung der Stadt Sitz der Regierung West-Berlins, 26.6.1963.](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/06-14-berlin-sm_2013-1032113-300x197.jpeg) At the Schöneberg Town Hall, which was the seat of the West Berlin government since the city’s division, 26/6/1963. © Stadtmuseum Berlin | Rolf Goetze Archive | reproduction: Die Kulturgutscanner ![John F. Kennedy bei seiner berühmten Rede auf dem Balkon des Rathauses Schöneberg, 26.6.1963.](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/06-16-berlin-sm_2013-1032148-300x198.jpeg) John F. Kennedy during his famous speech on the balcony of the Schöneberg Town Hall, 26/6/1963. ![Kleine Rangelei von Sicherheitskräften mit der euphorischen Menschenmenge, 26.6.1963.](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/06-18-berlin-sm_2013-1032114-300x197.jpeg) A minor scuffle between the security guards and the euphoric crowd, 26/6/1963. © Stadtmuseum Berlin | Rolf Goetze Archive | reproduction: Die Kulturgutscanner ![450.000 Menschen verfolgten Kennedys Rede mit dem berühmten Schluss-Satz „Ich bin ein Berliner“, 26.6.1963.](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/06-19-berlin-sm_2013-1032115-300x198.jpeg) One of the media stands placed in the middle of the crowds of spectators on Rudolph-Wilde-Platz, 26/6/1963. © Stadtmuseum Berlin | Rolf Goetze Archive | reproduction: Die Kulturgutscanner ![Ein Wohnhaus gegenüber dem Rathaus als besonders günstiger Ausguck, 26.6.1963.](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/06-20-berlin-sm_2013-1032144-300x196.jpeg) ![Transparente zeugen von der Hoffnung der eingeschlossenen West-Berliner auf Amerika, 26.6.1963.](https://www.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/06-21-berlin-sm_2013-1032145-300x195.jpeg) An apartment block across from the town hall made for a convenient lookout, 26/6/1963. Banners bear witness to the fact the land-locked West Berliners were pinning their hopes on the USA, 26/6/1963.