Federal President Joachim Gauck and Daniela Schadt travelled to the United States of America for an official visit from 5 to 8 October.

During their three day visit, the Federal President and Ms Schadt travelled to Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. On 7 October the Federal President met US President Barack Obama at the White House. In Washington he held further political talks.

On 6 October Federal President Gauck gave a speech at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. In Washington he attended celebrations to mark the Day of German Unity at the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Twenty five years after the reunification of Germany, the visit focused on transatlantic relations, the German American friendship, shared political and economic aims and common values.

Overview of the programme:

Monday, 5 October 2015

• Visit to the German Society of Pennsylvania
• Tour of the Liberty Bell exhibition and Independence Hall
• National Constitutional Center (NCC)
  Dinner hosted by Jeffrey Rosen, Director of the NCC, and Peter Wittig, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany

Tuesday, 6 October 2015

• Speech at the University of Pennsylvania
  followed by meet and greet with German students and teachers
• Welcome by Congressman John Lewis and joint visit to the Lincoln Memorial
• Visit to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
• German Ambassador’s residence
  Reception to honour the Day of German Unity, with an address by the Federal President

Wednesday, 7 October 2015

• White House
  Signing of the guest book
  thereafter
  Welcome and talks with Barack Obama, President of the United States of America
• Eisenhower Executive Office Building
  Luncheon hosted by Joseph Biden, Vice President of the United States of America
• Capitol
  Talks with members of the Senate Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation
• Department of State
  Presentation of an original piece of the Berlin Wall, followed by a reception hosted by Secretary of State John Kerry, with speeches by the Secretary of State and the Federal President
• Library of Congress
  Tour

Thursday, 8 October 2015

• Arrival in Berlin