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 20, 1950
MR. Charles M. Spofford, whom I have appointed Deputy U.S. Representative, North Atlantic Council, will leave for London shortly to assume his duties. The Secretary of State and I have discussed with him the nature of the tasks which lie…
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…
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 17, 1951
Mr. Chairman, distinguished guests, and ladies and gentlemen:
I am glad to welcome you this morning to this annual meeting. It's good to be with you again.
This year of 1951 will be the 7th year that we have observed…
September 29, 1947
THE PRESIDENT. The conference this morning requested me to make a statement to you as to what happened. It was a very harmonious and a very good conference. Everybody had everything he wanted to say, and he had a chance to say it--…
August 7, 1946
I HAVE APPROVED the bill, H.R. 2377, "To authorize the coinage of 50-cent pieces in commemoration of the one-hundredth anniversary of the admission of Iowa into the Union as a State," and the bill, H.R. 6528, "To authorize the coinage of…
August 20, 1951
To the Congress of the United States:
I request your urgent consideration of a matter of grave emergency.
A great flood disaster-one of the most terrible in the history of the United States-has struck a vast area of the…
November 23, 1945
CITATION FOR LEGION OF MERIT
DEGREE OF CHIEF COMMANDER
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, Crown Prince Olav of Norway, displayed exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services from August 1944 to July 1945. His…
September 30, 1947
THE PRESIDENT [replying to a question as to what business-paper editors can do to assist the new Citizens Food Committee]. Well, there are a lot of things you can do. I called the board of directors of that food committee together…
September 18, 1948
[ Released September 18, 1948. Dated September 15, 1948 ]
Dear Mr. Barron:
I deeply regret that absence from the city will keep me from attending the Annual Humanitarian Award Dinner of Variety Clubs International on…
Message to the Congress Transmitting Sixth Annual Report on U.S. Participation in the United Nations
July 3, 1952
To the Congress of the United States:
I transmit herewith, pursuant to the United Nations Participation Act, a report on the work of the United States in the United Nations during 1951.
This will be my last report, as…
August 30, 1949
I HAVE approved S. 2391, to authorize the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Weber Basin reclamation project, Utah.
This bill will authorize the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Reclamation, to construct,…
July 21, 1950
My dear Mr.________:
In my message of July 19 to the Congress, I announced that I was directing the executive agencies
"--to conduct a detailed review of Government programs, for the purpose of modifying them wherever…
August 30, 1949
I HAVE just signed a proclamation here which is authorized by an act of Congress, entitled National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week for 1949, and it starts on the 2d day of October.
It is a request to all Governors, and State…
August 8, 1946
[Released August 8, 1946. Dated August 7, 1946]
I HAVE WITHHELD my approval from S. 1198, "To authorize the Secretary of Commerce to sell certain property in the State of Michigan now occupied by the Weather Bureau and to acquire land…
July 21, 1950
The eleventh World's Christian Endeavor Convention meets at a time of world crisis but equally of world opportunity. Now as never before the moral and religious forces of the world must and will unite in defense of all the freedoms and to…
September 19, 1948
[1.] JUNCTION CITY, KANSAS (11:05 p.m.)
I have made a rule not to make political speeches on Sunday--never did from the time I was in politics 30 years ago. But I have been a steady visitor here for years and years and…
July 3, 1952
THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated.
[1.] Have you all recovered from your trip?1
1 On July 2 the President had participated in the dedication of the Norfork and Bull Shoals dams in northern Arkansas (see Items…
August 20, 1951
To the Congress of the United States:
On June 26, 1951, the Congress passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 11, reaffirming the friendship of the American people for all other peoples, including the peoples of the Soviet Union…
November 27, 1945
CITATION FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL
FIELD MARSHAL Sir Henry Maitland Wilson, G.C.B., G.B.E., D.S.O., performed outstanding and distinguished services as head of the British Joint Staff Mission from January to September 1945. As…
October 1, 1947
[Released October 1, 1947. Dated September 30, 1947]
My dear Mr. Chairman:
The situation in western Europe has, in the last few months, become critical. This is especially true in the cases of France and Italy, where slow…
August 31, 1949
I HAVE called a Midcentury White House Conference on Children and Youth and have appointed a committee of distinguished citizens to give general direction to the undertaking, under the Chairmanship of Honorable Oscar R. Ewing, Federal…
November 27, 1945
CITATION FOR THE LEGION OF
MERIT DEGREE OF COMMANDER
LIEUTENANT GENERAL Sir Gordon N. Macready, K.B.E., C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., M.C., performed exceptionally meritorious service as Commander, British Army Staff, Washington, from June…
August 9, 1946
IT IS NICE to have you boys here as our guests this morning. I am familiar with what you are trying to do, because I am doing it. In Missouri, some years ago, I was interested in the Boys State and I think its expansion into the national…
October 1, 1947
Members of the Citizens Food Committee:
This group of distinguished citizens has met to consider the grave food problem facing the world today. You are here because millions of people in many countries are hungry and look…