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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).

September 20, 1948 [1.] DENVER, COLORADO (Inter-American Conference on Conservation of Renewable Resources, State Capitol, 11:17 a.m.) Mr. Secretary, Mr. Chairman, and members of this historic conference: It certainly is a very great pleasure to me…
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…
July 23, 1950 NEWS of the death of Mr. Mackenzie King, so long the leader in Canadian public life and a commanding figure in world affairs, will bring sorrow to his legion of friends in the United States among whom I was privileged to be numbered. His…
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…
August 9, 1946 THE PRESIDENT. Well, I have no particular announcements to make to you, but I will try to answer your questions, if you want to ask me. [1.] Q. Mr. President, the Republican national campaign director today accuses you of ingannation in…
July 24, 1950 ON September 6, 1939, and January 8, 1943, a presidential directive was issued providing that the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the Department of Justice should take charge of investigative work in matters relating to espionage,…
September 1, 1949 THIS IS the fifth year in which it has been my privilege to call upon the American people to observe Labor Day--a day dedicated to the workers who have helped so much in the advance of our country to the position of responsibility and…
October 1, 1947 CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF THE MEDAL FOR MERIT TO LOUIS JOHNSON LOUIS JOHNSON, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the United States during the recent war period. Mr. Johnson, as…
September 20, 1948 Governor, Senator, distinguished politicians, and members of the Democratic Party of Colorado, ladies and gentlemen: Every time I come out this way I feel again the tremendous vitality of the West. That feeling comes not…
November 27, 1945 CITATION FOR THE LEGION OF MERIT DEGREE OF COMMANDER AIR MARSHAL Douglas Colyer, C.B., D.F.C., performed exceptionally meritorious service as Head of the Royal Air Force Delegation to Washington from December 1944 to September 1945…
August 23, 1951 To the Congress of the United States: On July 31, when I signed S. 1717, the Defense Production Act Amendments of 1951, I stated that after the Executive agencies had studied this law carefully, I would submit to the…
July 4, 1952 I HAVE been happy to sign into law H.R. 6578 because it will permit the Government to move at once toward solution of one of the most urgent technical problems facing world civilization, which is the development of a process for large-…
January 7, 1948 [ As delivered in person before a joint session ] Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, and Members of the 80th Congress: We are here today to consider the state of the Union. On this occasion, above all others, the Congress and the President…
January 3, 1952 THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated. [1.] For your information, I shall deliver the State of the Union Message on Wednesday, January 9, at 12:30.1 That is the day after the day that Congress meets. I have been in touch with the Vice…
January 4, 1951 THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated. I have no special announcements to make this morning. I will try to answer questions, however. [1.] Q. Mr. President, do you have any comment on the change in the Rules Committee of the…
January 4, 1950 [As delivered in person before a joint session ] Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Congress: A year ago I reported to this Congress that the state of the Union was good. I am happy to be able to report to you today that the…
January 6, 1947 [As delivered in person before a joint session] Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Congress of the United States: It looks like a good many of you have moved over to the left since I was here last! I…
January 5, 1949 [As delivered in person before a joint session] Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Congress: I am happy to report to this 81st Congress that the state of the Union is good. Our Nation is better able than ever…
April 16, 1945 Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, Members of the Congress: It is with a heavy heart that I stand before you, my friends and colleagues, in the Congress of the United States. Only yesterday, we laid to rest the mortal remains of our beloved…
January 3, 1946 [ Delivered from the White House at 10 p.m.] Fellow Americans: As you all know, it is the constitutional duty of the President to report to the Congress annually on the state of the union. That regular report will be made…
February 2, 1948 To the Congress of the United States: In the State of the Union Message on January 7, 1948, I spoke of five great goals toward which we should strive in our constant effort to strengthen our democracy and improve the welfare of our…
January 26, 1950 ON THIS memorable day in India's history, I send my greetings and best wishes and those of the people of the United States to you, and through you to the people of the Union of India. The establishment of the sovereign independent…
January 23, 1952 [ Released January 23, 1952. Dated January 15, 1952 ] My dear Eric: In addressing the Congress this month on the Point 4 Program of technical cooperation in underdeveloped areas, I expressed my conviction that there is…
January 23, 1951 I HAVE today established a Commission on Internal Security and Individual Rights. The Commission will be composed of nine members. Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz will serve as Chairman. The Commission will consider in all its aspects…
February 1, 1947 [Released February 1, 1947. Dated January 31, 1947] Gentlemen: I congratulate the International Unions affiliated with the Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL and the Associated General Contractors of America…