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).
November 16, 1949
WE ARE very happy this evening to be hosts to His Majesty the Shahinshah of Iran--a wonderful country historically, and a wonderful country in the modern sense. That country was our ally in the late world war. Had not Iran opened its…
October 27, 1948
[1.] PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS (Station platform, 8:14 a.m.)
Mr. Mayor, Mr. Chairman, distinguished guests, and my good friends of Pittsfield:
It's good to be back in this great State again. I have always had a great…
October 17, 1951
I AM most happy, as always, to receive you here. I am more than pleased to see so many visitors from our neighboring countries.
I just had a report this morning from Mr. Dodd, who is the head of the United Nations branch that is…
January 31, 1952
THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated.
[1.] I am announcing some additional members for the Committee on Government Contract Compliance1 (this is mimeographed and you can get it as you go out): Russell Forbes, Deputy…
February 12, 1948
THE PRESIDENT. I have a few announcements to make.
[1.] Paul R. Rowen of Boston will be appointed to the Securities and Exchange Commission. He will fill the vacancy resulting from the resignation of James J. Caffrey,…
January 31, 1950
IT IS part of my responsibility as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces to see to it that our country is able to defend itself against any possible aggressor. Accordingly, I have directed the Atomic Energy Commission to continue its…
February 2, 1949
[Released February 2, 1949. Dated January 29, 1949]
Dear___________:
I am calling a national meeting of the Highway Safety Conference, the first full-scale session since 1946, to stimulate application of the Action…
February 7, 1947
[Released February 7, 1947. Dated February 6, 1947]
My dear________________:
An offer of $8,500,000 has been made to the United Nations for acquisition of a headquarters site in the city of New York, on the condition that…
January 30, 1946
[ Broadcast from the White House at 11:55 p.m.. ]
Fellow Americans:
Tonight would have been the 64th birthday of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In a life dedicated to his fellow man, the fight against infantile paralysis was…
May 8, 1945
THE PRESIDENT. Well, I want to start off by reading you a little statement here. I want you to
understand, at the very beginning, that this press conference is held with the understanding that
any and all information given you here is for…
January 31, 1951
[Released January 31, 1951. Dated January 29, 1951]
My dear Mr. Lawton:
During this period of national emergency, the Federal Government has found that the historical records maintained during the previous periods of…
September 29, 1950
I KNOW that I speak for the entire American people when I send you my warmest congratulations on the victory which has been achieved under your leadership in Korea. Few operations in military history can match either the delaying…
October 27, 1948
THANK YOU, thank you very much. I can't tell you how very much I appreciate that magnificent reception. And the reception on the street this afternoon was something out of this world.
Thank you, my good friends and fellow citizens…
October 18, 1951
To the Senate of the United States:
I am returning herewith, without my approval, S. 1864, 82d Congress, "An Act to authorize payments by the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs on the purchase of automobiles or other…
December 5, 1946
[Released December 5, 1946, Dated December 4, 1946]
My dear Jack:
The considerations set forth in your letter of December third have been carefully weighed, as well as your wishes expressed to me in personal conferences…
November 17, 1949
THE PRESIDENT. I am ready for questions.
[1.] Q. Mr. President, are you going to give John L. Lewis a chance to accept a factfinding board before invoking Taft-Hartley?
THE PRESIDENT. The emergency for Taft-…
September 26, 1952
DOCTOR, I am highly appreciative of the privilege of receiving this first copy of the new revised version and translation of the Old and New Testaments.
My mother owned a big deckle-edged Bible published in 1881, which contained the…
December 7, 1946
His Majesty George H King of Hellenes Athens
I wish to extend you my most heartfelt sympathy on the sad occasion of the sudden death of His Excellency Cimon Diamantopoulos. He was both a worthy representative of your…
October 18, 1951
THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated.
I have no announcements, so you are free to ask questions.
[1.] Q. Mr. President, I suppose you have read that General MacArthur told the American Legion in Miami that his opposition had…
October 28, 1948
[1.] QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS (First Parish Church, Quincy Square, 7:30 a.m.)
Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I can't tell you how highly I appreciate the compliment which you gave to the President of the United States, and to your…
November 18, 1949
THE PRESIDENT received a courtesy visit from Greek Deputy Premiers Constantine Tsaldaris and Sophocles Venizelos at noon today.
Messrs. Tsaldaris and Venizelos, who head their country's delegation to the General Assembly and are the…
September 26, 1952
IT IS a pleasure indeed to have you come to Washington and to pay a visit to the White House. I am vitally interested in the work which you have been studying. I am more than vitally interested in the successful operation of what we…
September 29, 1950
Dear Mr. Vice President:
I know that all Americans share the Senate's humanitarian concern for the thousands of Greek children removed from Greece during the guerrilla warfare and now being held in eastern Europe.…
October 18, 1951
WELL, what I am principally interested in is development of those areas of the world that are not developed as they can be. If some of the areas of the world were in a position to produce on the basis of the efficiency that we are now…
November 18, 1949
Your Majesty, distinguished guests:
I appreciate most highly the kind remarks which Your Majesty has just made. I sincerely hope that I deserve them, and I sincerely hope that our mutual interests and our friendship will…