Germany's fascination with Obama

While campaigning the first time around, Obama had originally intended to speak at Brandenburg Gate but dropped the plan after Merkel signaled her disapproval at the site being used for foreign election campaign speeches. Many of those present queued patiently for over an hour outside 20 airport-style security gates.

In July 2008 then-senator Barack Obama signaled his interest in Germany with a symbolic visit to Berlin, addressing a crowd of 200,000 at the Victory Column. One fan showed his support with a poster stating, 'Obama for chancellor.' Obama returns to Berlin this June 18-19 for his first official visit to Berlin since becoming US president.

An electronics store in Hamburg, Germany, broadcasts US President Barack Obama's first inauguration ceremony in January 2009. Two months prior, millions of Germans took part in US election night parties across Germany.

In 2008 then-senator Barack Obama met with Berlin mayor Klaus Wowereit in Berlin. After witnessing Obama's campaign success, German politicians adapted their strategies to mirror Obama's efforts, expanding to online platforms and grassroots organizing. Campaign blogs, online donations and social communities have now become a staple of the internet efforts of Germany's main political parties.

After Obama's first presidential victory, 'Obama Fingers,' a fried chicken ode to America's commander-in-chief appeared at German discount supermarket chains, Plus and Netto. The tender, pre-cooked product sold in Frankfurt for 2,69 Euro ($3.59) - curry dip included.

US President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and bishop Jochen Bohl tour Dresden's landmark, the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) June 2009 in Dresden, Germany. After policy talks and a news conference in Dresden, Obama and Merkel traveled to Buchenwald, the former Nazi concentration camp. Obama stopped over in Germany en route from Egypt to France.

Political change inspires pop culture. A visitor views the artwork 'Obama' by Vik Munoz from Ben Brown Fine Arts gallery at the Art Cologne fair in Cologne April, 2013. Some 200 international exhibitors took part in the 47th Cologne Art fair.

In June 2011, Obama bestowed Chancellor Angela Merkel with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the US's highest civilian award, then honored her with a state dinner in the White House's Rose Garden. The occasion prompted the Washington Post headline 'It's Angela and Barack now,' with the two leaders calling each other by their first names ever since.

At the 2009 International toy fair in Nuremberg, Germany unveiled its 'Obamania.' Colorful plastic stickers called the 'ministeck,' or mini plug system, are used to create artwork including portraits of US President Obama and Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Barack Obama buttons lie in a glass jar at a US election party at the Bertelsmann Foundation in November, 2012 in Berlin. Prior to election day, US polls suggested a neck-and-neck race between incumbent Democrat President Barack Obama and his opponent, Republican Mitt Romney. Polls in Germany indicated that Germans overwhelmingly favored an Obama victory.

At the Rose Monday street parade in Cologne, a caricature on a float depicts the US president as 'Captain America.' The Rose Monday parade is the pinnacle of Carneval, the German version of Mardi Gras, and often features colorful floats poking fun at German politicians.

After recent leaks about US global online surveillance activities by the National Security Agency (NSA), Obama may face a tougher crowd this time around in Berlin. Chancellor Angela Merkel has vowed to confront Obama on the NSA programs, however, Obama's spokesperson, Jay Carney, reports that the US president does not believe the meeting will be any more politically charged due to the scandal.