Berlin has been fertile ground for speeches by sitting U.S. presidents. John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan are remembered for their bold declarations during the Cold War, and Bill Clinton made a simple declaration about reunified Germany.

A look at their words as U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama visits Berlin:

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“All 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!” _ President John F. Kennedy on June 26, 1963, at Rathaus Schoeneberg in West Berlin, sending a signal of unity to the citizens of the then-divided city.

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“Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” _ President Ronald Reagan on June 12, 1987, speaking on the western side of the Brandenburg Gate and exhorting the former Soviet leader to end the Cold War.

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“Berlin ist frei” (”Berlin is free”) _ President Bill Clinton on July 12, 1994, recognizing the now-unified Germany during a speech on the eastern side of Brandenburg Gate.