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Public Papers

The Public Papers of Harry S. Truman contain most of President Truman's public messages, statements, speeches, and news conference remarks. Documents such as Proclamations, Executive Orders, and similar documents that are published in the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations, as required by law, are usually not included. The documents within the Public Papers are arranged in chronological order. President Truman delivered the remarks or addresses from Washington, D. C., unless otherwise indicated. The White House in Washington issued statements, messages, and letters unless noted otherwise. (Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, Harry S. Truman, 1945-1953. Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, 1966)

The Public Papers contain items such as the Statement by the President Announcing the Use of the A-Bomb at Hiroshima (August 6, 1945), the Special Message to the Congress on Greece and Turkey: The Truman Doctrine (March 12, 1947), the White House Statement Announcing Recognition of the Government of Israel (January 31, 1949), the Statement and Order by the President on Relieving General MacArthur of His Commands (April 11, 1951), and The President's Farewell Address to the American People (January 15, 1953).

August 25, 1945 A PROGRAM for the construction of new hospital beds for the treatment of veterans was recently recommended by the Veterans Administration. When these recommendations reached my desk I had decided to accept the resignation of General…
May 11, 1946 Your Eminences, President Gannon, fellow alumni and friends: It is very gratifying to be here at Fordham University in New York on the One Hundredth Anniversary of the granting of the Charter to this great institution of higher…
June 12, 1947 THE PRESIDENT. I want to say to you that this Canadian trip has been most interesting to me. I think it is an event in the history of the two countries. I think we understand each other better as a result of this visit, and I sincerely…
May 13, 1946 CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF THE MEDAL FOR MERIT TO WILLIAM DOUGLAS PAWLEY WILLIAM DOUGLAS PAWLEY, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the United Nations. Mr. Pawley, with keen foresight…
June 3, 1948 My dear General Fleming: I am happy to receive the report of the Continuing Committee which clearly shows the progress made in fire prevention during the past year. It is indeed gratifying that so many organizations and…
August 25, 1945 THE VISIT of General de Gaulle, President of the Provisional Government of the French Republic, to the President of the United States of America, has been marked by an important exchange of views between the two Chiefs of State, who, in…
April 28, 1952 I AM APPOINTING Gen. Mark W. Clark to succeed Gen. Matthew B. Ridgway as Commander in Chief of the U.N. Command for Korea and as Commander in Chief of the far East Command of the U.S. Armed forces. In making this appointment, I…
May 24, 1951 THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated. [1.] I want to read you a reminder, then you can ask me questions. [Reading, not literally] "I just want to remind everyone that next Wednesday is Memorial Day, and that we all have a duty on…
May 9, 1950 To the Congress of the United States: I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 23 of 1950, prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1949. The plan further promotes the grouping of Government…
June 2, 1949 THE PRESIDENT. I have no special announcements to make this morning. I will do my best to answer questions. [1.] Q. Sir, have you seen Senator Neely this morning? THE PRESIDENT. Senator Neely stopped by on his way to the Senate…
June 14, 1947 WITH the ratification of the Treaty of Peace with Italy we bring to a close an unhappy chapter in Italian-American relations. At the same time we mark the beginning of a new era for Italy to which the Italian people can look with hope and…
May 1, 1952 To the Congress of the United States: I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 5 of 1952, prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1949. This plan will enable the Board of Commissioners of the…
May 9, 1950 To the Congress of the United States: I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 24 of 1950, prepared in accordance with the Reorganization Act of 1949. The plan transfers the Reconstruction Finance Corporation to the Department…
May 16, 1946 THE PRESIDENT. I thought I had better read you a statement on the coal situation. It will be mimeographed and handed to you after I read it. "Mr. Lewis and Mr. O'Neill came in to see me again at 10 o'clock this morning. They told me that…
June 4, 1948 [1.] CRESTLINE, OHIO (12 p.m.) Thank you. Thank you very much. It is a very great pleasure for me to see you out here this morning. It is a pleasure to me. You know how intriguing it is, and helpful it is, for the President to…
May 24, 1951 To the Congress of the United States: Three weeks ago I transmitted to the Congress a request for 60 billion dollars for the United States defense establishment during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1952. I am now recommending…
August 27, 1945 Dear:____________ It occurs to me that it would be helpful to your committee in planning its legislative program to have my views on the matters which will be under your consideration. As you know, coincident with Japan's…
June 14, 1947 AT THE TIME of ratification of the treaties establishing peace with Hungary, Rumania, and Bulgaria, I feel I must publicly express regret that the governments of those countries not only have disregarded the will of the majority of the…
June 2, 1949 General Fleming, ladies and gentlemen of the Highway Safety Conference: When we first met here in Washington 3 years ago, I joined with you in making an appeal to all motorists and pedestrians for safer and more sensible conduct…
June 4, 1948 Mr. Chairman, Governor Green, the Mayor of Chicago, distinguished guests: I am delighted to be here to welcome His Royal Highness Prince Bertil, the Most Reverend Bishop, and the representatives of the Swedish organizations who…
May 1, 1952 THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated. [1.] I want to open this conference up by telling you that I don't intend to answer any questions on the steel controversy, so you won't get a book full of no comments. Now you can ask me about…
May 9, 1950 To the Congress of the United States: I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 25 of 1950, prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1949. The plan transfers the function of the National Security…
May 16, 1946 I HAVE TODAY withheld my approval of Senate Bill 195 and Senate Bill 196, which were passed by the Legislature of Puerto Rico over the veto of the Governor. Senate Bill 195 provides for a plebiscite on the permanent political status of…
August 28, 1945 [Released August 28, 1945. Dated August 24, 1945] Memorandum to the Director of Contract Settlement and the Contracting Agencies of the Government: When the news was received on August 14, 1945, that the Japanese had accepted…
June 15, 1947 Dear Mr.____________: The development of our air transportation system has repeatedly been recognized as a matter of vital concern to our nation. One of the essential factors which can contribute greatly to the progress of our…