JFK Says “I am a Jelly Doughnut” Speech

Yesterday, being Fat Tuesday, and a day to celebrate with Paczki, reminded me of a very funny, historical moment.

You see, Paczkie look like Berliners, the German name for bismarcks, and jelly donuts.  So the connection here is 'Berliners.'

It was June 26, 1963 when President John F. Kennedy was speaking in Berlin, Germany, to the German people.  He spoke for 10 to 15 minutes and closed with his, now famous phrase, "Ich bin ein Berliner."

The story goes that he was trying to say "I am a Citizen of Berlin," so he should have said "Ich bin Berliner."  As he closed his speech he, of course said, "Ich bin ein Berliner," or, "I am a Jelly Doughnut."

See for your self.

Well, the crowd did laugh, applaud and cheer.  So, obviously they like jelly doughnuts.  But, seriously, that line had been translated by a German translator for the President, and several other people said that if President Kennedy had said "Ich bin Berliner," he would have sounded silly because with his heavy accent he couldn't possibly have come from Berlin. But by saying "Ich bin ein Berliner," he actually said "I am one with the people of Berlin."

Whatever the case, I'm still smiling.  I like Jelly Doughnuts!