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 24, 1951
Mr. Prime Minister:
It is a very great pleasure to welcome you to the United States of America. I hope you will have a most pleasant visit while you are here, and I know there are a great many things of importance about…
August 19, 1952
THIS REVIEW sets forth the changes in the Budget of the United States for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1953, which have taken place since it was originally transmitted to the Congress last January. It is a reappraisal of the…
October 13, 1949
THE PRESIDENT. I have no special announcements for you today, but I will try to answer questions.
[1.] Q. Mr. President, are you considering seizure of the soft coal industry?
THE PRESIDENT. I am not.
[2.] Q. Mr. President, are you…
December 6, 1947
Mr. Chairman Pennekamp, Mr. Secretary of the Interior, Governor Caldwell, Senator Holland, Senator Pepper, distinguished guests, and ladies and gentlemen:
I can't tell you what a great pleasure it is to me to be with you today. You…
October 14, 1946
My dear Mr. Markham:
It is my privilege to send you a hearty: well done, as you terminate your duties as Alien Property Custodian.
I had full confidence that in anticipation of the proposed consolidation your house would…
September 1, 1950
[Released September 1, 1950. Dated August 29, 1950]
My dear Mr. Ambassador:
I have read with great interest your memorandum of August twenty-first, in which you express your concern over the malicious propaganda…
October 11, 1948
[1.] CINCINNATI, OHIO (Breakfast in the Netherlands-Plaza Hotel, 8:35 a.m.)
I appreciate that most highly, Mr. Mayor. I appreciate that reception more than I can tell you, and I would, of course, like to have it continued…
September 1, 1950
[Broadcast from the White House at 10 p.m.]
My fellow citizens:
Tonight I want to talk to you about Korea, about why we are there, and what our objectives are.
As I talk with you, thousands of families in this land of…
August 20, 1952
[ Released August 20, 1952. Dated August 13, 1952 ]
Dear Captain Ewing:
I read with great interest your observations on your interviews with prisoners of war in Korea. Your conversations with those men who prefer death to life under a…
October 14, 1949
To the House of Representatives:
I am returning without my approval H.R. 5134, "To promote development in cooperation with the State of Colorado of the fish, wildlife, and recreational aspects of the Colorado-Big Thompson…
October 11, 1948
Mr. Chairman, fellow Democrats:
Before I say anything else, I should like to thank you people of Akron and all the people of Ohio for your tremendous registration in this crucial election. You have given the Nation…
October 14, 1946
[Broadcast from the White House at 10 p.m.]
My fellow countrymen:
I wish to report to you this evening on a subject which I am sure has concerned you as much as it has me--the meat shortage and our general stabilization…
December 11, 1947
THE PRESIDENT. I have no special announcements to make this morning. I thought maybe you might like to ask me some questions that I might be able to answer.
[1.] Q. Mr. President, last August, sometime during the summer, you were…
September 25, 1951
PRESIDENT TRUMAN and Prime Minister De Gasperi met at the White House on Tuesday, September 25. The meeting was devoted to an exchange of views on the present international situation and on matters of mutual concern to Italy and the…
December 11, 1947
THE PRESIDENT of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Gold Star in lieu of the Fourth Distinguished Service Medal to
FLEET ADMIRAL CHESTER WILLIAM NIMITZ, UNITED STATES NAVY
for service as set forth in the following…
October 17, 1946
Dear Mr. Justice Jackson:
I have read and studied deeply the report which you submitted under date of October seventh last concerning the prosecution of major Nazi war criminals at Nurnberg. No litigation approaching this…
August 21, 1952
THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated. This time it isn't the Navy clock that's slow, it's that one up there. [Laughter] I am ready for questions.
[1.] Q. Mr. President, I wonder if you have made any personal inquiry, sir, into the incidents…
September 6, 1950
To the House of Representatives:
I am returning herewith, without my approval, H.R. 6217, 81st Congress, "An Act To provide greater security for veterans of the Spanish-American War, including the Boxer Rebellion and…
October 17, 1949
To the Senate of the United States:
I return herewith, without my approval, the enrolled bill (S. 1407) to promote the rehabilitation of the Navajo and Hopi Tribes of Indians and the better utilization of the resources of…
September 25, 1951
I HAVE today signed an Executive order to strengthen our safeguards against divulging to potential enemies information harmful to the security of the United States.
This order provides, for the first time, uniform standards for…
October 12, 1948
[1.] RICHMOND, INDIANA (Rear platform, 8:04 a.m.)
Governor, and fellow Democrats of Richmond:
I am happy to be here this morning, and I want to assure you that this is not my first visit to Richmond. I came here once as…
December 13, 1947
ALTHOUGH the United States is withdrawing its troops from Italy in fulfillment of its obligations under the treaty of peace, this country continues its interest in the preservation of a free and independent Italy. If, in the course of…
August 21, 1952
Thank you very much, Mr. Ewing. Mr. Ambassador, and visiting teachers:
It is a pleasure to me to welcome you here, and I hope that you will enjoy your stay in this country-
As I have said before to similar meetings, I…
October 19, 1949
THE PRESIDENT. Well, gentlemen, it is nice to have you here, as usual. I don't know of anything I can tell you that will be of interest. There isn't a single one of you who doesn't know more about what's going on than I do. [Laughter…
October 17, 1946
I HAVE SIGNED Executive Order 9791 today. It establishes a Presidential Research Board with Reconversion Director John R. Steelman as Chairman. Its members are the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of…