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).
June 16, 1949
To the Senate of the United States:
With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification, I transmit herewith a certified copy of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide…
May 18, 1946
THE PRESIDENT. The Engineers and Trainmen have agreed to postpone the strike date from 4 o'clock, May 18, to 4 o'clock, May 23.
That is in response to a request that I made from them, by giving them assurance that I was sure that further…
June 20, 1947
[Broadcast from the White House at 10 p.m.]
My fellow countrymen:
At noon today I sent to Congress a message vetoing the Taft-Hartley labor bill. I vetoed this bill because I am convinced it is a bad bill. It is bad for labor,…
June 8, 1948
Governor, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Chairman:
You know what I think? I think it would be a fine thing if your band would play just one more piece before I have to speak. [The band played Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever."]
Thank you very much. I…
May 10, 1950
[1.] POCATELLO, IDAHO (Rear platform, 6 a.m.)
When I was here in 1948, along about early in the morning, I think it was 7:50, I remember they told me there wouldn't be anybody up; and they were darn sure there wouldn't be…
September 1, 1945
SIX YEARS AGO the workers of the United States, and of the world, awoke to a Labor Day in a world at war. The democracies of Western Europe had just accepted the challenge of totalitarianism. We in the United States had two years of…
June 13, 1951
Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen:
I am most happy to welcome you to this conference. Most of you have set aside your regular duties to work with us to make our highway system safe. That is the spirit of public service that…
May 7, 1952
THE UNITED STATES fully approves and supports without qualification the proposal for reaching an armistice which General Ridgway has offered to the Communist aggressors in Korea.
Last July the United Nations forces had repulsed Communist…
September 1, 1945
[ Broadcast from the White House at 10 p.m. ]
My fellow Americans, and the Supreme Allied Commander, General MacArthur, in Tokyo Bay:
The thoughts and hopes of all America--indeed of all the civilized world--are centered…
June 22, 1947
THE IMPACT upon our domestic economy of the assistance we are now furnishing or may furnish to foreign countries is a matter of grave concern to every American. I believe we are generally agreed that the recovery of production abroad is…
June 9, 1948
[1.] SPOKANE, WASHINGTON (To Communications Workers of America, 8:40 a.m.)
I certainly appreciate all that applause and I appreciate this reception. You know, I am running on a schedule and this is run in on that schedule, and I…
June 16, 1949
THE PRESIDENT. I have no particular announcements to make to you. I will try to answer questions, though, if you want to ask them.
[1.] Q. Mr. President, my paper is suggesting editorially that you start a special commission like the…
May 7, 1952
Dear Mr. Fowler:
I am pleased to know, from your conversation with Acting Defense Mobilizer Steelman, of your willingness to assume the post of Administrator of the Defense Production Administration effective June 1, 1952,…
May 10, 1950
THANK YOU very much. It is certainly a pleasure to be here in Pendleton today. As I came over that divide on the railroad into this beautiful valley, I wondered what the first man who saw the valley in which Pendleton is situated thought…
June 14, 1951
Mr. Secretary, Mrs. Warren, members of this great organization, the 4-H Clubs of America:
I am more than happy to welcome you again to the White House. I was very much afraid that we were going to be rained out, but the weather…
May 18, 1946
Sir:
I am transmitting, with request for its early introduction and consideration, a bill to provide for the Philippine veterans:
First. Hospitalization, including medical care, for service-connected disability;
Second. Pensions…
September 2, 1945
[Broadcast from the White House at 9:19 p.m.]
Men and women of the Armed Forces:
I am speaking to you, the Armed Forces of the United States, as I did after V-Day in Europe,1 at a high moment of history. The war, to which…
June 23, 1947
To the Senate of the United States:
In accordance with the obligations of the Government of the United States of America as a member of the International Labor Organization, I transmit herewith authentic texts of nine…
June 16, 1949
THANK YOU very much for this pin. It is a beautiful thing, and I know one thing certain, that it won't remain in my possession long when my daughter sees it.
It was my privilege many, many years ago--when most of you were babes in arms,…
June 14, 1951
[Broadcast from the White House at 10:30 p.m. ]
My fellow Americans:
I am going to talk to you tonight about a real, practical, down-to-earth problem that affects the daily life of every American citizen. It affects your…
May 8, 1952
THE PRESIDENT. We can't start the conference until the picture boys get through, so just be a little patient.
[photographers continued working]
[1.] Q. We might as well say "Happy Birthday" to you, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT.…
May 11, 1950
UNDERSTAND that the Senate will shortly vote on reorganization plan number twelve, relating to the National Labor Relations Board.
Plan twelve will correct an administratively unworkable organizational set-up and will put the procedures of…
May 22, 1946
[ Released May 22, 1946. Dated May 18, 1946 ]
My dear Mr. Snyder:
With respect to the establishment of the temporary headquarters of the United Nations in New York, I have advised Mr. Stettinius as follows in a telegram dated…
June 10, 1948
I HAVE heard with deepest grief of the death of Lewis Schwellenbach. He was my warm personal friend. He was a great Senator, a great judge, and a great Secretary of Labor.
NOTE: Lewis B. Schwellenbach served as Secretary of Labor from July…
June 10, 1948
[1.] BREMERTON, WASHINGTON (Elks Club, 11:40 a.m.)
Mr. Mayor, Governor Wallgren, Secretary Krug, and citizens of Bremerton:
I can't tell you how highly pleased I am to see this wonderful turnout this morning. I…