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).
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…
May 2, 1945
THE ALLIED ARMIES in Italy have won the unconditional surrender of German forces on the
first European soil to which, from the West, we carried our arms and our determination. The
collapse of military tyranny in Italy, however, is no…
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…
November 27, 1945
CITATION FOR THE LEGION OF MERIT
DEGREE OF COMMANDER
ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET Sir James Fownes Somerville, GCB, KBE, DSO, Royal Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of…
July 25, 1950
My dear Mr. Chairman:
The increased military appropriation requests transmitted to the Congress on July 24, 1950, together with other requests I shall transmit at a later date, will entail sharply increased Federal…
August 23, 1951
THE PRESIDENT, Please be seated.
[1.] I have a statement or two here for you, which I think may clear up some questions you might be inclined to ask, so I will read them to you.
Q. Would you mind--
THE PRESIDENT. They will be in…
September 21, 1948
[1.] GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO (Rear platform, 9:19 a.m.)
Senator Walker, I appreciate most highly that introduction. I was hoping that I would have an opportunity to see you. I didn't know I'd have the honor of being…
September 1, 1949
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] I want to open the proceedings by making an announcement in anticipation of any questions--that negotiations in the Mexican oil loan will continue. I have been interested in that ever since it came up, and I have…
August 10, 1946
[Released August 10, 1946. Dated August 9, 1946]
I HAVE WITHHELD my approval from H.R. 4435, "To establish the Theodore Roosevelt National Park; to erect a monument in memory of Theodore Roosevelt in the village of Medora, North Dakota…
July 5, 1952
My dear________:
I am informed that the Supplemental Appropriation Bill, as reported from conference, contains a rider which, in effect, forbids the Atomic Energy Commission to start any specific construction project unless…
October 3, 1947
CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF THE MEDAL FOR MERIT TO FRED M. VINSON
FRED M. VINSON, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the United States from May 1943, to June, 1946. Mr. Vinson…
October 4, 1947
I HAVE received today the third volume of the report on Science and Public Policy, submitted by John R. Steelman in accordance with Executive Order 9791. This volume, entitled "Administration for Research" analyzes the management of…
November 28, 1945
Dear Mr. Secretary:
I am enclosing a copy of the report of Byron Price dated November 9. I asked Mr. Price to go to Germany to study the relationship between the American Forces of Occupation and the German people.
Mr.…
August 10, 1946
ON AUGUST 10, 1846, James K. Polk, eleventh President of the United States, put his signature on the Act of Congress establishing the Smithsonian Institution. Today, August 10, 1946, we celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of this…
September 3, 1949
SECRETARY JOHNSON is making all possible effort to place the employees who are being released from the Department of Defense. In addition, I request all Federal appointing officers to give first consideration to career employees who…
September 21, 1948
Governor Maw, President Smith, distinguished guests, citizens of Utah:
It is a pleasure to me to be here this evening. You don't know what a great pleasure it is to see this magnificent auditorium, one of the historic…
July 6, 1952
I HAVE reluctantly signed H.R. 7072, the Independent Offices Appropriation Act of 1953, containing the so-called Thomas leave rider which prevents the accumulation of annual leave earned by Federal employees. Legislation by rider is a bad…
August 24, 1951
Dear Mr. Chairman:
From the time of the establishment of the Bureau of Narcotics in 1930 until two or three years ago, the narcotic menace in the United States was on a steady decline. Organized traffic in narcotics had…
July 26, 1950
I HAVE today signed S. 3809, the act which will enable our country to continue military aid to certain free nations of the world.
The overwhelming support for this act among the Members of Congress is a further mark of the unity of…
October 5, 1947
[Delivered from the White House at 10:50 p.m.]
My fellow citizens:
The food-saving program which has just been presented to you has my wholehearted support. I am confident that it will have the support of every American.…
September 22, 1948
[1.] SPARKS, NEVADA (In the public park, 9:15 a.m.)
Senator McCarran, Vail Pittman. Mr. Mayor:
It certainly is a pleasure to be here with you today. I don't know when I've seen a happier, more smiling crowd--and I'll tell you I…
September 5, 1949
The Allegheny County Commissioners, Mr. Mayor, distinguished guests:
I am very happy to be here today at the Allegheny County Free Fair.
I am sincerely sorry that my good friend John Kane can't be here, on account of…
August 24, 1951
THE CHECK for a million dollars which has just been handed to the Secretary of the Treasury by the Governor of the Farm Credit Administration has a special significance for our farmers, and for all Americans. It brings to a total of $100…
July 12, 1952
STARTING Monday morning, in 27 States, civilian volunteers of the Ground Observer Corps will inaugurate "Operation Skywatch."
This is a commonsense precaution in which Americans can serve proudly and in which the fellow citizens of the…
July 26, 1950
To the Congress of the United States:
Recent international events make it more important now than ever before that we maintain and expand our strength on the home front. For the sinews of all our strength, everywhere in the…