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).
Message to the Congress Transmitting Third Annual Report on U.S. participation in the United Nations
May 12, 1949
To the Congress of the United States:
The accompanying report on the participation of the United States in the United Nations for 1948 is transmitted to the Congress on the recommendation of the Secretary of State.…
August 9, 1945
[Delivered from the White House at 10 p.m.]
My fellow Americans:
I have just returned from Berlin, the city from which the Germans intended to rule the world. It is a ghost city. The buildings are in ruins, its economy and its…
May 16, 1947
My dear Mr. Secretary:
Recalling the distress among farmers which resulted from land inflation in the 'World War I period, I am deeply concerned about the recent rise in farm real estate prices. I understand the reports of your…
May 3, 1946
THE WAR DEPARTMENT Civil Functions Appropriation Bill, 1947 (H.R. 5400), which I approved on May 2, 1946, makes appropriations for a number of thoroughly worth-while projects that will further the development of the water resources of the…
April 27, 1950
[Held in the Indian Treaty Room, Executive Office Building]
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] I think I had better make a statement to you about this proposed change. It occurred to me that it would be more comfortable for you. I know it will be more…
April 16, 1952
IT IS a very great honor for me to be received by the Governors of seven of the great States of this community.
Won't you please be seated, Governors. You don't want to stand up all the time while I'm "twirlin off."
This situation is a…
May 13, 1948
THE PRESIDENT. Well, ladies and gentlemen of the press, I have no special announcements to make this morning. We have been making announcements of things as they happen. I don't wait for press conferences any more, because you are so…
May 9, 1951
To the Senate of the United States:
On January 17, 1949 I transmitted to the Senate a convention (No. 63) concerning the statistics of wages and hours of work in the principal mining and manufacturing industries, including…
May 19, 1947
To the Congress of the United States:
Healthy citizens constitute our greatest national resource. In time of peace, as in time of war, our ultimate strength stems from the vigor of our people. The welfare and security of our…
May 13, 1948
Sir:
I have the honor to transmit herewith for the consideration of the Congress supplemental estimates of appropriation in the amount of $2,434,441,000 for the fiscal year 1949 for the National Military Establishment, in the…
May 9, 1951
THANK YOU very much. My first visit to this auditorium, Mr. Secretary, was on a "Meet-the-Press" program, when I was a United States Senator, making some investigations in the Second World War. It was not a very satisfactory meeting for me.…
August 13, 1945
CITATION FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL
MR. JAMES F. BYRNES, as Director of War Mobilization from October 1942 to March 1945, discharged duties of great responsibility with outstanding success. Faced with the problem of aiding the Chief…
May 16, 1949
[Broadcast from the White House at 11:23 p.m.]
My fellow citizens:
The Opportunity Savings Bond Drive should have the support of all citizens. It is part of the effort we are all making together for the good of one another, for…
May 1, 1950
D ear___________:
Your telegram of April twenty-sixth, advising me that the National Committee for a Free Europe is launching a nationwide crusade for freedom, meets with my heartiest approval. I hope that all Americans will join…
May 3, 1946
THE VETERANS' PRIORITY BILL for surplus property (S. 1757), which I have signed today, gives priority to veterans for the purchase of surplus property second only to the priority exercised by Federal agencies. This bill also directs the War…
April 17, 1952
Held in the National Museum and attended by members of the American Society of Newspaper Editors as well as the regular White House correspondents. ]
MR. SHORT.1 I will leave it to the President to welcome you, but I have a brief…
August 13, 1945
IN A WORLD still at war it is well that we pause to celebrate one of the great peacetime achievements of the American people, namely, the enactment of the Social Security Act. It is only ten years ago that this act became law. Yet in…
May 14, 1948
To the Congress of the United States:
I wish again to call the attention of the Congress to the need for agricultural legislation. This need arises in large part by reason of the approaching expiration date of some of our…
May 22, 1947
To the Congress of the United States:
In March of this year the Congress passed and I approved a bill known as the First Decontrol Act of 1947, extending for three months a few of the powers originally granted in the Second War…
May 17, 1949
CITATION FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL
(Second Oak Leaf Cluster)
AS UNITED STATES Military Governor in Germany and Commander-in-Chief of United States Forces in Europe, General Lucius D. Clay performed services of supreme value to his…
May 2, 1950
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 treaty between the United States of America and Canada concerning uses of the waters of the…
May 3, 1946
DURING the last few days there has been a series of unfortunate misinterpretations of the Government's intentions with regard to price and distribution controls on meat. This misunderstanding has apparently resulted from a confusion of terms…
April 18, 1952
THANK YOU very much, Mr. Ambassador. We shall place this beautiful clock and candelabra in the Red Room, and every visitor who goes through the White House will see it and thank the people of France, and the President of France, for giving…
May 9, 1951
I APPRECIATE most highly your thoughtfulness in presenting me with this wonderful piano as the culmination of the celebration of National Music Week. My fondness for music, I'm happy to say, is in line with the other Presidents you have…