German Federal President Joachim Gauck delivered the keynote address at the official celebration of the 25th anniversary of German unity in 2015. He highlighted the legacy of the Peaceful Revolution in the former GDR and Germany’s tradition of and commitment to freedom. In reference to the 2015 humanitarian crisis, he also appealed to use the memory of the peaceful revolution as a bridge to present times when people are being asked to welcome refugees and immigrants to Germany. Gauck, a Lutheran pastor who had been active in the East German civil rights movement, served as German Federal President under Angela Merkel from 2012 to 2017. German presidents have limited political power but can influence politics and political opinion. Important keynote speeches are one such vehicle to use their “soft power.”