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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 14, 1950 I HAVE today approved S. 3409, which establishes a new Grand Teton National Park in the State of Wyoming. This legislation is a significant achievement in assuring the continued use and enjoyment by the public of one of the most…
October 31, 1949 I HAVE today signed S. 2404, a bill that authorizes an appropriation of $ 1,500,000 for the purpose of cooperating with the county of Bernalillo, State of New Mexico, in the construction at Albuquerque of a general hospital which will…
September 11, 1952 Mr. Postmaster General: I appreciate very much having the first sheet of these stamps which honor the women in the services. Women in the services are something that has taken place on a great scale in my lifetime. In…
October 23, 1948 THANK YOU, Mr. Mayor. I am happy to be here today in Scranton, in the heart of the hard coal industry. You know, the weather seems to have something to do with every visit I make as President. You know, I think about 20…
September 16, 1952 Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen: It is a great pleasure for me to be here today. This meeting gives me an opportunity to talk on one of my favorite subjects-the health of the American people. When I stood up here…
November 2, 1949 General Fleming, members of the American Society of Civil Engineers, ladies and gentlemen: I am most happy to be with you this morning. I am a great admirer of engineers. My political career started on its way upward with…
November 9, 1946 THE GENERAL CONTROL over prices and wages is justifiable only so long as it is an effective instrument against inflation. I am convinced that the time has come when these controls can serve no useful purpose. I am, indeed, convinced…
September 14, 1950 Dear Senator Thomas: Under Section 416 of the Agricultural Act of 1949, this Government has made certain perishable surplus commodities available to public and private welfare and relief agencies at home and abroad.…
October 23, 1948 THANK YOU--thank you very much. I certainly appreciate most highly the cordial and friendly welcome of your distinguished Mayor. He wonders how I stand the campaign! I will explain it to him. When I was a very young man, I campaigned…
October 8, 1951 I AM happy today to take a part in the 50th anniversary celebration of the motion picture theater. I have some very vivid recollections of the first ones I saw. In those days, admission was 5 cents and you could stay as long as you…
January 30, 1950 Dear Mr.__________: I am transmitting herewith for the consideration of the Congress a draft of proposed legislation to enable the United States to participate in and contribute to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency…
February 10, 1948 To the House of Representatives: I return herewith without my approval H.R. 3153, "To provide for the sale or other disposal of certain submarginal lands located within the boundaries of Indian reservations in the States…
February 7, 1947 [Released February 7, 1947. Dated February 4, 1947] ON THE OCCASION of the abolition of the Allied Commission for Italy, with which you have been intimately associated since its inception and of which you have been Chief Commissioner…
January 30, 1946 To the Congress of the United States: The establishment of a permanent state of peace and prosperity is not a simple matter. The creation and maintenance of conditions under which nations can be prosperous and remain…
February 1, 1949 I KNOW I have missed an excellent dinner by being late, but I had to have dinner at least one night this week with the "boss" at home, in the Blair House. I remember about 6 years ago, I was present at a meeting of this organization,…
January 30, 1951 SINCE Prime Minister Pleven arrived in Washington on January 29 three meetings between the President and the Prime Minister have been held. Those who participated as advisers were: United States: Dean Acheson, Secretary of State, John…
January 30, 1952 My dear Admiral McCormick: The North Atlantic Treaty Nations have agreed that a Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic, should now be appointed and have requested that I designate a United States officer. I have designated you…
May 7, 1945 I HAVE AGREED with the London and Moscow governments that I will make no announcement with reference to surrender of the enemy forces in Europe or elsewhere until a simultaneous statement can be made by the three governments. Until then,…
September 14, 1950 THE PRESIDENT. [1.] I have a statement here that I want to make. It will be available for you in mimeographed form after the press conference is over. [Reading] "It has long been the view of the United States Government that the…
October 23, 1948 [1.] LOCK HAVEN, PENNSYLVANIA 1:25 p.m.) Thank you, Senator, I appreciate that very much. We really didn't have a scheduled stop here, but I am so happy to see so many people turn out and have a chance to see what the President looks…
November 11, 1946 THE PRESIDENT. [1.] Gentlemen, I have a statement for you, which I will read to you. Then it will be handed to you in mimeographed form as soon as the conference is over. "The American people have elected a Republican majority to the…
October 10, 1951 I HAVE today signed H.R. 5113, the Mutual Security Act of 1951. Under this legislation, the United States will continue to participate in the great collective defense effort of the free nations and to assist free peoples around the…
November 3, 1949 [1.] AT THE RECEPTION (Hotel Lowry, 4:40 p.m.) Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. There are certain limitations to the things that we would like to do. I can't tell you how very much I appreciated the most…
September 17, 1952 IT IS a pleasure to have you here this morning. I hope you are having a pleasant visit here in the Capital City, and that you will find out everything you want to know about it. This rose garden here is quite a place for gatherings…
October 11, 1951 THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated. I have no special announcements to make. I will try to answer questions, if I can. [1.] Q. Mr. President, I assume that you have not seen this list of awards made by Oscar Ewing1 this week…