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 15, 1949
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] I want to welcome the visiting editors and publishers from the 14 foreign countries here this morning. I am glad they got to come in, and I hope I will have the privilege of shaking hands with them after the press…
August 16, 1946
I HAVE WITHHELD my approval from H.R. 4362, "To abolish the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Essex County, Massachusetts, to authorize and direct the restoration to the former owners of the land comprising such refuge, and for…
September 1, 1951
I HAVE today issued an Executive order extending the time within which steps may be taken to dispose of World War II housing built by the Federal Government. Over 200,000 units still under the jurisdiction of the Housing and Home…
July 18, 1952
I HAVE signed S. 241, a bill which amends the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 and which has come to be known popularly as the "long-range shipping bill." In taking this action, I want to correct two mistaken impressions which have grown up…
September 27, 1948
I WANT to ask you women of America to stop for a minute on this, your Democratic Women's Day, to look back on a truly gallant fight that we now take for granted: the battle for women's right to vote. Remember that it was a great…
December 12, 1945
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] I have received a report from Mr. Snyder, head of OWMR, on the housing situation, which will be handed to you. It is a mimeographed sheet of three pages, and recommends the appointment of a Housing Expediter to…
August 14, 1950
ON THIS second anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Korea, which finds the United States and other members of the United Nations aiding your people in the common purpose of repelling a savage and ruthless Communist invader…
December 12, 1945
Dear Mr. Wyatt:
This country is faced by an acute shortage of housing. Veterans are returning to homeless communities. Former war workers have come back to their home towns, and have found no place in which to live.
It…
August 16, 1946
ALTHOUGH the President has been exchanging views with Mr. Attlee on the subject, this Government has not presented any plan of its own for the solution of the problem of Palestine. It is the sincere hope of the President, however, that…
September 2, 1951
IN EXTENDING Labor Day greetings to the workers of the United States and in offering my congratulations to the great labor movement of which they are rightfully proud to be members, I prayerfully hope that all our people may recapture…
September 15, 1949
Mrs. Johnstone and members of the United Nations Committee:
I certainly am happy to have you here this morning, and I am more than pleased that you have begun to get ready for this celebration early.
In 1947, when the…
September 27, 1948
[1.] SAN MARCOS, TEXAS (Rear platform, 6:40 a.m.)
Mr. Cape, Lyndon:
It certainly is a pleasure to see so many people up so early in San Marcos.
I am reading over there that "World Government Means World Peace." Well, if the United…
July 18, 1952
I HAVE withheld approval of S. 2584, "To provide for the establishment of a Veterans' Administration facility at Fort Logan, Colorado.''
I have taken this action because f believe that the establishment of additional Veterans'…
August 16, 1950
THE PEOPLE of the United States are honored to join the citizens of the other American republics in observing the 100th anniversary of the death of General Jose de San Martin, founder of Argentine independence, who led a liberating army…
October 18, 1947
I HAVE received a report from the Secretary of the Interior on national resources and foreign aid.
This report is the first in a series of three reports being prepared by special committees which I appointed in June to study the…
September 21, 1949
Gentlemen:
The unanimous Report of the Steel Industry Board was handed to me on September tenth. In releasing the Report on that day I urged that the parties give "the greatest weight and the most earnest consideration"…
September 3, 1951
[Broadcast from San Francisco at 7:55 p.m.]
Fellow Americans:
Six years ago, here in San Francisco, the United Nations was formed. It was our purpose then to prevent another world war. That is still our purpose.
The…
September 27, 1948
Speaker Rayburn--I say that advisedly-Governor Jester, Governor Turner of Oklahoma, and distinguished guests:
I have a warm spot in my heart for Texas. Texas has given me some of the best friends a man ever had, and a…
October 23, 1947
THE PRESIDENT. Gentlemen, I have a statement to read to you.
[Reading, not literally] "I have met this afternoon with a group of congressional leaders. I presented to them detailed information concerning the alarming and…
July 18, 1952
I HAVE today signed H.R. 7800, the Social Security Act Amendments of 1952. This is an important landmark in the progress of our social security system.
The new law increases old-age and survivors insurance benefits by an average of $6…
August 17, 1950
My dear Senator Chavez:
I am writing you regarding the Federal-Aid Highway Bill (H.R. 7941), which has been reported by the Senate Committee on Public Works.
The bill, in its present form, would increase the Federal-aid…
August 31, 1946
[Released August 31, 1946. Dated August 15, 1946]
THIS LABOR DAY is one of great importance. We can look into the future today with confidence, but not with tranquillity.
We still have a big job to do, and a long way to go, to assure…
December 12, 1945
CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF
THE MEDAL FOR MERIT
TO
HENRY MORGENTHAU, JR.
HENRY MORGENTHAU, JR., Secretary of the Treasury, 1934-1945, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services in such…
October 24, 1947
[Broadcast from the White House at 10 p.m.]
My fellow countrymen:
I have called the Congress to meet on November 17th to consider the problems of high prices at home and emergency aid abroad. These are questions of vital…
September 28, 1948
[1.] SHERMAN, TEXAS (Rear platform, 8:29 a.m.)
Mr. Speaker, Governor Jester, and fellow Democrats of Sherman, Texas:
I can't tell you how happy I am that we were able to stop in this wonderful city of education and…