1Two thousand years ago the proudest boast was 'civis Romanus sum.' Today, in the world of freedom, the proudest boast is 'Ich bin ein Berliner.'
2There are many people in the world who really don't understand, or say they don't, what is the great issue between the free world and the Communist world. Let them come to Berlin.
3There are some who say that Communism is the wave of the future. Let them come to Berlin.
4And there are some who say in Europe and elsewhere we can work with the Communists. Let them come to Berlin.
5And there are even a few who say that it is true that Communism is an evil system, but it permits us to make economic progress. Let them come to Berlin.
6Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in, to prevent them from leaving us.
7Freedom is indivisible, and when one man is enslaved, all are not free.
8When all are free, then we can look forward to that day when this city will be joined as one and this country and this great continent of Europe in a peaceful and hopeful globe.
9All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin, and, therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words 'Ich bin ein Berliner.'
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