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).
August 13, 1952
[ Released August 13, 1952. Dated August 11, 1952 ]
My dear Mr. Secretary:
As you know, the Congress passed in the closing days of the recent session S.241--the so-called "Long-Range Shipping Bill"-which I approved on July…
October 1, 1946
[Delivered from the White House at 10:30 p.m.]
My fellow citizens:
Tonight, although I am speaking to the whole Nation, I am thinking of my hometown, and I hope as you listen each one of you will think of your hometown. I…
December 23, 1945
[ Released December 23, 1945. Dated December 22, 1945 ]
I AM WITHHOLDING my approval of H.R. 4407, "Reducing certain appropriations and contract authorizations available for the fiscal year 1946, and for other purposes."
It is with…
October 3, 1946
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] I want to call your attention to some highlights in Mr. Steelman's report.1 There is so much smoke and fire politically going on all the time in the country that unless you have the facts brought home to you once in…
October 6, 1949
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] This happens to be the 200th press conference that has been held since I have been President, in the course of 234 weeks, I believe. And I have no special announcements to make to you this morning.
[2.] Q. Mr.…
October 6, 1948
Senator Myers, and fellow Democrats of Pennsylvania:
I am certainly glad to be here tonight and to have this opportunity to discuss with you some of the issues in this campaign. I was here one night not long ago and…
August 13, 1952
[Released August 13, 1952. Dated August 11, 1952]
My dear Mr. Secretary:
As you know, the Congress passed in the closing days of the recent session S. 241 -- the so-called "Long-Range Shipping Bill" -- which I approved on…
September 17, 1951
Mr. Postmaster of the great city of St. Louis, Mr. Postmaster General, and postmasters and ladies and gentlemen:
I am glad to welcome you to Washington this morning.
I don't believe there is a finer group of…
November 21, 1947
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] I have some announcements for you this time.
General Bradley will go back to the War Department on the 1st of December, and Carl R. Gray, Jr., the vice president of the Chicago, North Western Railway…
August 29, 1950
I AM sending you for your information the text of a letter which I sent to Ambassador Austin dated August 27. I am sure that when you examine this letter, and the letter which Ambassador Austin addressed to Trygve Lie on August 25 (a…
October 7, 1948
[1.] BRIDGEPORT, PENNSYLVANIA ( Rear platform, 9:40 a.m.)
Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, and fellow Democrats of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania:
I can't tell you how I appreciate this wonderful turnout in this great industrial…
August 14, 1952
[Released August 14, 1952. Dated August 13, 1952]
I WOULD be most happy if you would attend a Cabinet luncheon next Tuesday the nineteenth. If you want to bring your press secretary and any other member of your staff I'll be glad to…
October 11, 1949
Mr. Prime Minister:
I am very happy to welcome you to this country on behalf of the Government and the people of the United States. I greet you not only as the chief minister of your government, but also as the loved and…
November 25, 1947
Dear Bob:
It would not be possible for me to overstate the feeling of personal regret with which I have read your letter of yesterday advising me of your determination to return to private life.
The sense of regret is…
September 20, 1951
THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated.
[1.] I have a letter to the Vice President on the tax bill for release. It is ready and will be handed out to you after the conference. It will explain a great many questions that you may…
August 30, 1950
Dear Senator Flanders:
I have studied with interest the letter of August eighteenth, signed by you and 27 other Senators, calling for "total engagement of our psychological and spiritual forces." It is gratifying to have…
December 24, 1945
[ Broadcast nationally at 5:15 p.m. ]
Ladies and gentlemen, and listeners of the radio audience:
This is the Christmas that a war-weary world has prayed for through long and awful years. With peace come joy and gladness…
October 4, 1946
I HAVE LEARNED with deep regret that the meetings of the Palestine Conference in London have been adjourned and are not to be resumed until December 16, 1946. In the light of this situation it is appropriate to examine the record of the…
October 8, 1946
My dear Mr. Pittenger:
Being just as deeply interested as you are in seeing that supplies of coal in the Midwest and the upper Great Lakes area will be adequate to prevent hardship during the coming winter, I have given…
September 20, 1951
My dear Mr. Vice President:
As the Senate begins debate on the 1951 tax legislation, I wish to emphasize the urgency of keeping the Government's finances on a sound basis. In particular, I wish to urge that the tax…
October 8, 1948
[1.] ALBANY, NEW YORK (Rear platform, 8:25 a.m.)
Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for that introduction, I appreciate it most highly. I am very glad to be in Albany this morning, and I want to say to you that this is the first real…
August 31, 1950
WE HAVE good reason for special observance of this Labor Day. It should be a day of thanksgiving for past accomplishments and present opportunity; but it should also be a day of solemn dedication to the tasks that lie ahead of us. This…
December 1, 1947
To the Congress of the United States:
The present authority of the United States Maritime Commission to operate, sell, and charter Government-owned vessels which were built during the war will expire on February 29, 1948…
October 12, 1949
To the Congress of the United States:
I have today approved H.R. 6022, "to increase the rates of compensation of certain employees of the Department of Medicine and Surgery of the Veterans Administration, and for other…
August 14, 1952
THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated.
[1.] On the 14th of August I wrote a letter to Mr. Junius Wood of Holland, Michigan, about the Minerva clock and the Hannibal clock, and also about the scattering of the antique White House…