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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).

July 18, 1950 My dear Mr. Administrator: The Director of the Bureau of the Budget has transmitted to me your recommendation that the aggregate outstanding amount of mortgages which may be insured under Title II of the National Housing Act…
August 16, 1951 I HAVE today approved House Joint Resolution 311, making interim appropriations to the Department of Labor to begin the task of bringing Mexican farm workers into this country under the terms of Public Law 78, approved July 12, and in…
September 25, 1947 My dear Dr. Bush: I am happy to know that you are willing to continue in the public service as Chairman of the Research and Development Board created by the National Security Act of 1947. Your work as chairman of the…
September 17, 1948 [Released September 17, 1948. Dated September 16, 1948] Dear Mr. President: Thank you for the letter you wrote to me after signing the Economic Cooperation Agreement. Men everywhere participate in and contribute more…
July 1, 1952 My dear Mr._________: I am transmitting to the Congress the report of the President's Materials Policy Commission, "Resources for freedom." Our knowledge and understanding of the materials position of the United States and of…
November 19, 1945 To the Congress of the United States: In my message to the Congress of September 6, 1945, there were enumerated in a proposed Economic Bill of Rights certain rights which ought to be assured to every American citizen.…
August 16, 1951 THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated. I have no particular announcements to make this morning, but I will try to answer questions, if you have any. [1.] Q. Mr. President, you said last week you did not think General MacArthur…
September 26, 1947 [Delivered from the White House at 10:53 p.m.] My fellow citizens: I am very proud to be numbered among the great company of volunteers who from coast to coast all during the month of October will be working for and…
August 3, 1946 IN ACCORD with previous practice I present at this time a review of the Federal Budget for the fiscal year 1947, as well as actual figures for the fiscal year 1946. This revision of the January Budget estimates takes into account not…
September 17, 1948 [1.] PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA (From the Freedom Train, 6:25 p.m.) Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen: This is indeed a surprise to me. I started this train off in Washington just about a year ago; and I'm happy to be…
November 20, 1945 THE PRESIDENT. [1.] I want to announce some very important changes in the Army command. [Reading] "Ever since Japan's surrender, General Marshall has been desirous of relinquishing his position as Chief of Staff. He feels that his…
August 26, 1949 THE SECRETARY GENERAL of the United Nations has today announced the appointment of a distinguished American, Gordon R. Clapp, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority, as chairman of an economic survey…
July 19, 1950 To the Congress of the United States: I am reporting to the Congress on the situation which has been created in Korea, and on the actions which this Nation has taken, as a member of the United Nations, to meet this situation…
July 1, 1952 THIS HAPPENS to be the number one whistlestop of 1952. There are going to be a lot more of them. You have the privilege of being number one. I hope you will be able to hear the rebroadcast of my power program speech tomorrow…
November 21, 1945 [ Released November 21, 1945. Dated November 20, 1945 ] My dear General Kramer: By virtue of the authority placed in me by the act approved April 19, 1945, granting the consent of Congress to the States of Colorado and…
September 18, 1948 [1.] ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (Rear platform, 5:45 a.m.) I don't think I have ever seen so many farmers in town in all my life. I had no idea that there would be anybody else in a town the size of Rock Island at this time of day.…
July 2, 1952 Mr. Chairman, Congressman Trimble, Governor McMath, and distinguished guests: I am of course delighted to be here today. You know, this part of the country is very familiar to me. When I was a boy, my family lived on a farm…
September 27, 1947 THE SECOND volume of his report on Science and Public Policy has been submitted today by John R. Steelman, Chairman of the President's Scientific Research Board. This volume, "The Federal Research Program," for the first time gives…
July 19, 1950 [Delivered from the White House at 10:30 p.m.] My fellow citizens: At noon today I sent a message to the Congress about the situation in Korea. I want to talk to you tonight about that situation, and about what it means to…
August 29, 1949 Mr. Chairman, Governor Duff, distinguished guests and fallow Legionnaires, and those who have been so kind as to help make this 31st Legion Convention a success: I appreciate most highly the courtesies which have been…
August 16, 1951 Mr. Ewing, and ladies and gentlemen: It is a very great pleasure to welcome you to the United States. I hope you will enjoy your stay here, and that you will take back an impression that will make our relations with France…
August 3, 1946 [Released August 3, 1946. Dated August 2, 1946 ] To the Secretary of the Navy: My dear Mr. Secretary: I must request your assistance in a most serious fiscal situation. The Federal Government is faced with a continued…
November 21, 1945 I HAVE TODAY directed the Office of Defense Transportation to take over the control and operation of the buses, street cars and other facilities of the transportation system of the District of Columbia. The strike now in effect by…
August 29, 1949 Mr. Commander, members of the Auxiliary, comrades of the American Legion: I am happy to be here with the American Legion again at their annual convention. At the Legion convention last year, I talked to you about your Government's…
August 3, 1946 [Released August 3, 1946. Dated August 2, 1946] To the Secretary of War: My dear Mr. Secretary: The Acting Director of the Bureau of the Budget has heretofore informed you that I plan for 1948 not only to balance the Budget…