Kennedy’s speech is most likely the most well-known part of German history around the city hall of Schöneberg. In his honour, the place in front of the city hall was renamed “John- F.-Kennedy Platz” adorned with a memorial plaque and also a meeting hall in the interior of the building bears his name.
An equally strong symbol for the people of Berlin has the Liberty Bell in the belfry of the city hall. This bell was financed by donations of American citizens as a symbol for the “crusade for freedom”. 500,000 spectators witnessed its inauguration in 1950, and can be heard ever since at midday and on important occasions. Its sound opened the festivities on 3rd October 1990 when Germany was reunified.
This location has seen many more big rallies, for example right after the construction of the Berlin Wall. 800.000 people came to rallies here between August 16-19 1961 who made their grief and sorrow about the Wall known to then reigning mayor Willy Brandt.
On November 10 1989 when the Wall had been opened, a rally with high-ranking politicians Walter Momper, Hans-Dietrich Genscher and Helmut Kohl took place here.
Should you wish to learn more about the history of the City Hall Schöneberg, you can participate in the guided tours of 2 hours occassionally organised by VHS Schöneberg-Tempelhof.
