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News and views from the German-language region of Europe

September 8, 2006

"I had a Berliner"

Filed under Life in Europe

An American can hardly visit Berlin without being reminded of John F. Kennedy’s famous speech given in June 1963. World News & Prophecy managing editor Darris McNeely was no exception.

Darris really could not use Darris McNeely eating a Berliner President Kennedy’s famous line, though – "Ich bin ein Berliner" – since he is not originally from Berlin or a current resident of Berlin. Urban legend has it that when President Kennedy gave his speech at the Schöneberg Rathaus, what he really said in his speech is "I am a jelly donut". The claim was that he used improper grammar by including the word "ein". That legend was even promulgated within the Church of God community, which prompted an incredulous response from a real "Berliner".

Since Darris couldn’t rightfully say "Ich bin ein Berliner", we decided to do something else – we ate a Berliner! As the urban legend implies, a Berliner is a jelly donut. I really like them myself, but I have had to cut my consumption way back in the last six months – to zero. But on this occasion I joined the WNP managing editor so he would not have to eat his Berliner alone. If you can’t say "Ich bin ein Berliner", then having one just might be the next best thing.

Paul Kieffer's blog with personal insights and news from the German-language region in Europe.

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