During his visit to Germany from June 23 to 26, 1963, U.S. President John F. Kennedy was received by the population with extraordinary enthusiasm. The motorcade was among the defining images of the visit and reflected the close emotional connection between the West German population and the American President. The backdrop was the Cold War and the construction of the Wall in 1961, which placed the population of West Berlin under particular political pressure. Kennedy’s visit was regarded as a strong symbol of American solidarity with the Federal Republic and West Berlin.