West Berlin Collection

35th President of the United States. Making his memorable I am a Berliner, or Ich bin ein Berliner
JOHN F. KENNEDY (1917-1963). 35th President of the United States. Making his memorable I am a Berliner, or Ich bin ein Berliner, address during a visit to West Berlin, 26 June 1963

Oil and coal barrel ready for provision of fresh supplies to Berlin at Tempelhof airport, 1948 (b/w photo)
1743592 Oil and coal barrel ready for provision of fresh supplies to Berlin at Tempelhof airport, 1948 (b/w photo) by Unknown photographer

Berliners observe the arrival of airplanes, approaching Berlin Tempelhof airport, 1948 (photo)
ELD4927689 Berliners observe the arrival of airplanes, approaching Berlin Tempelhof airport, 1948 (photo) by Unknown photographer, (20th century); (add.info.: Arrival of airplanes)

Berliners watching aeroplanes during the Berlin blockade, Tempelhof airport, 1948 (b/w photo)
1973340 Berliners watching aeroplanes during the Berlin blockade, Tempelhof airport, 1948 (b/w photo) by Unknown photographer

Berliners watch planes arrive at Tempelhof airport during Berlin blockade, 1948 (b/w photo)
1751759 Berliners watch planes arrive at Tempelhof airport during Berlin blockade, 1948 (b/w photo) by Unknown photographer, (20th century); (add.info.: Berlin Blockade (1948-1949)); © Tallandier

Berlin Blockade, 1948 (photo)
1702474 Berlin Blockade, 1948 (photo) by Unknown photographer, (20th century); (add.info.: Berlin Blockade (1948-1949) was one of the first major international crises of the Cold War

On 3 June 1972 the foreign ministers of the Four Powers signed the final protocol to the Quadripartite Agreement
3638400 On 3 June 1972 the foreign ministers of the Four Powers signed the final protocol to the Quadripartite Agreement on West Berlin at the building formerly used by the Allied Control Council in

The frontier crossing traffic at the border crossing points between the capital of the German Democratic Republic
3638394 The frontier crossing traffic at the border crossing points between the capital of the German Democratic Republic, Berlin, and West Berlin

The equipment of Sterzyk, agent of the US secret service who was arrested when trying to reconnoitre... (b / w photo)
3638425 The equipment of Sterzyk, agent of the US secret service who was arrested when trying to reconnoitre.... (b/w photo) by German Photographer (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The National Peoples Army guarantees the inviolability of the German Democratic Republics territory... (colour photo)
3638422 The National Peoples Army guarantees the inviolability of the German Democratic Republics territory.... (colour photo) by German Photographer (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info)

On 11 September 1972 the brave American communist and civil rights defender Angela Davis was cordially welcomed by
3638397 On 11 September 1972 the brave American communist and civil rights defender Angela Davis was cordially welcomed by the soldiers of the National Peoples Army of the German Democratic Republic

In order to influence the GDR frontier guards, to distract them from service or to bribe them various objects are
3638432 In order to influence the GDR frontier guards, to distract them from service or to bribe them various objects are thrown over the border from the West Berlin side

An officer of the National Peoples Army explaining the importance and situation of the state frontier... (b / w photo)
3638403 An officer of the National Peoples Army explaining the importance and situation of the state frontier.... (b/w photo) by German Photographer (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Since 13 August 1961 the state frontier of the German Democratic Republic with West Berlin has been reliably protected
3638395 Since 13 August 1961 the state frontier of the German Democratic Republic with West Berlin has been reliably protected by the National Peoples Army

An officer of the National Peoples Armed Forces explains to foreign visitors at the Brandenburg Gate the necessity of
3638433 An officer of the National Peoples Armed Forces explains to foreign visitors at the Brandenburg Gate the necessity of the antifascist protective wall

Check Point Charlie (b / w photo)
3638429 Check Point Charlie (b/w photo) by German Photographer (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Check Point Charlie)

British armoured car on the border between East and West Berlin at the Brandenburg Gate (b / w photo)
6029904 British armoured car on the border between East and West Berlin at the Brandenburg Gate (b/w photo) by German Photographer (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info)

According to the Arrangement between the Government of the German Democratic Republic
3638414 According to the Arrangement between the Government of the German Democratic Republic and the Senate of West Berlin visitors

Berlin, the capital of the German Democratic Republic (colour photo)
3638423 Berlin, the capital of the German Democratic Republic (colour photo) by German Photographer (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Berlin)

A Coca Cola lorry on the front line of freedom at a wind swept rainy day at Checkpot Charlie on Berlins Friedrich strasse. 9th January 1970

MA Worcester Boylston Vector Road Map. All source data is in the public domain. U.S. Census Bureau Census Tiger. Used Layers: areawater, linearwater, roads, rails, cousub, pointlm, uac10

MA Worcester Clinton Vector Road Map. All source data is in the public domain. U.S. Census Bureau Census Tiger. Used Layers: areawater, linearwater, roads, rails, cousub, pointlm, uac10

CARTOON: WEST BERLIN, 1961. Don t start a fight. I love you and I want to settle this thing peacefully. Cartoon comment on Soviet First Secretary Nikita Khrushchevs aggressive posture towards West

WEST BERLIN, 1961. The checkpoint on the border of the American sector of West Berlin, West Germany. Photograph by Thomas J. O Halloran, 1961

BERLIN: MAN AND CROSS, 1961. A man carrying a cross on a street in West Berlin, near the Brandenburg Gate. Photographed by Tony Frissell, October 1961

The American President John F. Kennedy during his drive through Berlin in an open car on 26 June 1963
J.F.K. IN BERLIN, 1963. The American President John F. Kennedy during his drive through Berlin in an open car on 26 June 1963

President John F. Kennedy and German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer at Checkpoint Charlie by the Berlin Wall during
JFK IN BERLIN, 1963. President John F. Kennedy and German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer at Checkpoint Charlie by the Berlin Wall during Kennedys visit to West Berlin on 26 June 1963

Rathaus Sch├Âneberg, the city hall in West Berlin, during President John F. Kennedys visit on 26 June 1963
J.F.K. IN BERLIN, 1963. Rathaus Sch├Âneberg, the city hall in West Berlin, during President John F. Kennedys visit on 26 June 1963

American President John F. Kennedy (left) meeting with Willy Brandt, the Mayor of West Berlin
KENNEDY & BRANDT, 1961. American President John F. Kennedy (left) meeting with Willy Brandt, the Mayor of West Berlin, at the White House in Washington, D.C. 13 March 1961. Photographed by Marion S

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"West Berlin: A City of Resilience and Unity" In the tumultuous years following World War II, West Berlin stood as a symbol of hope and determination amidst political turmoil. The city's indomitable spirit was epitomized by the famous words uttered by John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, during his visit on June 26, 1963: "Ich bin ein Berliner, " or "I am a Berliner. " This powerful address aimed to express solidarity with the people in their struggle for freedom. The struggles faced by West Berliners were not new. In 1948, they witnessed oil and coal barrels being readied at Tempelhof airport to ensure fresh supplies during the infamous Berlin Blockade. Despite facing immense hardships, these resilient individuals observed planes arriving at Tempelhof airport with unwavering hope in their eyes. The Quadripartite Agreement signed on June 3, 1972 further solidified West Berlin's significance as an international focal point. Foreign ministers from four powers gathered at the building formerly used by the Allied Control Council in American sector to establish protocols that would shape its future. Yet amidst these historical milestones, everyday life continued for West Berliners. They watched frontier crossings between East and West with bated breaths while witnessing both acts of terrorism and secret service operations unfold before their very eyes through poignant black-and-white photographs. However, it wasn't all darkness; moments of joy also graced this divided city. Christmas trees adorned with lights shimmered near Brandenburg Gate—a beacon of festive cheer even against such a backdrop of tension. West Berlin embodied resilience—its people standing tall despite adversity—and unity—coming together to face challenges head-on. It remains etched in history as a testament to human strength and perseverance against all odds.