<P> `` Ich bin ein Berliner '' ( German pronunciation : ( ˈʔɪç ˈbɪn ʔaɪn bɛɐ̯ˈliːnɐ ) , `` I am a Berliner '' ) is a quotation from a June 26 , 1963 , speech by U.S. President John F. Kennedy in West Berlin . It is widely regarded as the best - known speech of the Cold War and the most famous anti-communist speech . Kennedy aimed to underline the support of the United States for West Germany 22 months after Soviet - supported East Germany erected the Berlin Wall to prevent mass emigration to the West . The message was aimed as much at the Soviets as it was at Berliners and was a clear statement of U.S. policy in the wake of the construction of the Berlin Wall . Another phrase in the speech was also spoken in German , `` Lasst sie nach Berlin kommen '' ( `` Let them come to Berlin '' ) , addressed at those who claimed `` we can work with the Communists '' , a remark at which Nikita Khrushchev scoffed only days later . </P>
who spoke the words ich bin ein berliner
U.S. President John F. Kennedy