Typical American hubris. Churchill knew EXACTLY the words he wanted. The reference is not only to the USA, but Canada and the rest of the (then) Empire.

"Ich bin ein Berliner." JFK, contrasting the freedom of ther West, with the enslavement of the Warsaw Pact, as represented by the Berlin Wall.

"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall." Reagan, just a couple decades later.

"The Lady, she is not for turning." Lady Margaret Thatcher.


"The Pope? How many divisions does he have?" Uncle Joe . . . but it could have been used to underestimate Pope John Paul, too.

I thought I read somewhere that JFK misspoke and actually said "I am a jelly donut".

Yes & No

Berliner is a nickname for a Berliner Pfannkuchen( a type of jelly doughnut/pancake) It is named kind of like the Frankfurter Sausage from Frankfurt or a Hamburger is from Hamburg.

"Ich bin Berliner" is what he was suppose to say which means " I am a Berlin Citizen"

He said " Ich bin ein Berliner " I am the Berliner or I am a Berliner

I think this explanation is more precise and easier to understand, but basically you are right:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ich_bin..._misconception

Frederick the Great

People say that we kings were made in the image of God. When I heard that I had a look into the mirror - it is not very flattering for God.

"Inside every cynic is a disappointed idealist."

-George Carlin

Two of my new favorites are from a speech by Jefferson Davis that he gave during the war in Jackson, Mississippi, that I just also posted in the Civil War thread. I like them for two reasons:

First, I think they are both beautifully written, even if they are extremely hateful in content.

Second, I like them because you can feel the raw emotion and ancient history of the animosity between the Yankee and Cavalier ways of life. If you ever had a question about why the southerners felt as strongly as they did, Davis captures all of that emotion perfectly.

Will be offensive to patriots: Davis Railing Against Yankees

From the August 2002 Smithsonian, page 103, "Iron Will" (article about Lewis & Clark-early 1800's): Visitors from Europe were often appalled by American hypocrisy. "You will see them with one hand hoisting the cap of liberty, and with the other flogging their slaves," wrote English traveler Frances Trollope. "You will see them one hour lecturing the mob on the indefeasible rights of man, and the next driving the children of the soil, whom they have bound themselves to protect by the most solemn treaties."

we can"t make a history but it makes us

“If you're afraid - don't do it, - if you're doing it - don't be afraid!”
- Genghis Khan

"Strong minds discuss ideas, Average minds discuss events, Weak minds discuss people" I thought it was Socrates forever, but it looks like it may have been falsely attributed to him. Either way, very relevant in todays world, IMO.

"History is filled with the sound of silken slippers going downstairs and wooden shoes coming up."

- Voltaire

Don't have an actual favourite and it's not from a historical world leader but I always kinda liked this one