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).
January 24, 1946
CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF THE MEDAL FOR MERIT TO SAMUEL I. ROSENMAN
SAMUEL I. ROSENMAN, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the President of the United States and his country.…
January 25, 1951
THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated.
I have two or three announcements here that I would like to make, before we start off. You will find a mimeographed copy of this first one outside, when we get through.
[1.] [Reading] "…
January 26, 1952
Dear Mr. Feinsinger:
On the basis of information and advice submitted to me by the Office of Defense Mobilization and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, I am of the opinion that the several disputes between…
May 2, 1945
THE PRESIDENT. First, I want to read you a couple of letters, which will be distributed as you
go out, so if I get a little too fast for you, why--
[1.] [Reading, not literally]: "My dear Mr. President: I hereby tender you my resignation…
September 10, 1951
IT IS a pleasure on my part to have you here. I think you are making a contribution to the peace of the world. When an international organization of this sort can meet in the various countries where it is represented, it creates…
August 25, 1950
Dear Mr. Speaker:
The importance of the Point IV appropriation in the struggle against communist imperialism cannot be overemphasized.
Although the amount involved is relatively small in terms of dollars, the Point IV…
August 6, 1952
IT IS a very great pleasure to have you back again this year. I know you are getting some well-earned information on Government and how it works. And, you know, if you get well enough acquainted with it, when these old people now that…
September 21, 1946
THE NATIONAL Wage Stabilization Board will continue to administer the wage stabilization program.
I asked the Advisory Board of OWMR this week to add to its agenda a study of the wage stabilization program. This Board has been…
September 30, 1948
Governor Clements, distinguished guests, and fellow Democrats of Kentucky:
I am happy to be here in the State of Kentucky, the State of my good friend and running-mate, America's most beloved Senator, Albert Barkley.…
November 10, 1947
[Released November 10, 1947. Dated November 7, 1947]
To the Honorable the President of the Senate pro tempore and the Honorable the Speaker of the House of Representatives:
Last May the Congress enacted Public Law 75…
December 20, 1945
I AM PLEASED today to sign the Reorganization Act of 1945, for I believe that in this Act the Congress has established a procedure which should lead to substantial improvements in the organization and management of the Government.…
September 29, 1949
Mr. Chairman, Mr. Vice President, Governor Smith, distinguished guests, and ladies and gentlemen:
You know, I am highly pleased that the Governors of these adjoining States to Missouri and Kentucky are here.
It is a…
September 30, 1948
[Delivered in Louisville at 9:55 p.m.]
Good evening:
We Americans are a busy people--but we are never too busy to be good neighbors. This is especially important today.
Throughout the world we are striving to prove…
August 25, 1950
I HAVE today issued an Executive order, providing for taking over the country's railroads at 4 p.m., eastern standard time, on August 27, 1950, and providing for their operation by the Secretary of the Army in the name of the United…
September 30, 1949
[Broadcast from the White House at 10 p.m.]
My fellow Americans:
We are on the eve of a typically American campaign--a peace campaign that will enlist, during October, the energies of a million and a half volunteer…
August 7, 1952
THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated.
[1.] I have a couple of statements I would like to read to you. They are all mimeographed and ready for you outside. I am not going to read them but once.
[Reading] "I am very sorry to say…
November 13, 1947
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] I have one announcement to make. Adm. Louis E. Denfeld will be Chief of Naval Operations--I have two announcements to make. The other one is the appointment by Executive order 1 of the National Security Resources…
September 24, 1946
I AM of course interested in the political welfare of every one of you. When Congress is in session, there are 531 Members here, and the President usually passes out the word that the door is open to see him at any time on any…
December 20, 1945
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] I want to make a statement in connection with the fact finding boards, and this will be available in mimeographed form when you go out.
[Reading] "In appointing a fact finding board in an industrial dispute where…
September 11, 1951
Mr. Comptroller General, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:
We are meeting here today to lay the cornerstone of a fine new building for the General Accounting Office. This building is of special significance,…
November 14, 1947
I DEEPLY appreciate the willingness of the members of the Loyalty Review Board, established within the Civil Service Commission, to give of their service to that Board. Their acceptance involves real personal sacrifice. At the same…
October 1, 1948
[1.] SHELBYVILLE, KENTUCKY (Rear platform, 8:45 a.m.)
Mr. Chairman and citizens of Shelby County:
I imagine all the county is here; it is a very great pleasure to me this morning to have had the privilege of stopping in…
September 12, 1951
[Released September 12, 1951. Dated September 11, 1951]
Dear General Marshall:
It is with very great reluctance that I accept your resignation as Secretary of Defense effective, in accordance with your wishes, on…
December 20, 1945
Dear______________:
The Full Employment Bill adopted by the Senate modified the language of the original bill but did not remove its essential provisions.
On December 14, 1945, however, the House sent to conference a…
August 8, 1952
Dear Mr. Chairman:
On July 14, 1951, I requested the National Security Council to make an investigation of the administration of Federal employee security programs relating to the denial of employment and the suspension and…