U.S. President John F. Kennedy says Western powers will defend Berlin by ‘whatever means’ in address to UN General Assembly 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 25 1961)

1960s, Cold War, U.S. Presidents


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(Monday, September 25, 1961, 11:30 a.m. EDT; during the Cold War) — Six weeks after construction of the Berlin Wall began, U.S. President John F. Kennedy told the United Nations today that’ the United States and its allies have decided to defend West Berlin by “whatever means are forced upon them.”


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Kennedy, making his first appearance before the UN General Assembly, said there was no need for a Berlin crisis, but that the Western powers were calmly resolved to defend their obligations and access to a free West Berlin.


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His appraisal of Berlin, however was largely positive.


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“We believe a peaceful agreement is possible which protects the freedom of West Berlin and Allied presence and access,” he said in his prepared address, “while recognizing the historic and legitimate interests of others in assuring European security.”