Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Library Collections
  3. Public Papers

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).

December 12, 1946 THE PRESIDENT. I have some announcements to make first. [1.] [Reading] "In accordance with the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act of 1946, I am today appointing a General Advisory Committee to advise the Atomic Energy…
September 29, 1950 [Broadcast from the White House at 10 p.m.] My fellow citizens: Tonight we in the United States, and our friends in Canada, are starting the annual Community Chest campaigns. The Community Chest is an example of one of…
October 28, 1948 THANK YOU very much. Thank you. It is certainly good to be here tonight. You know, I was here 4 years ago on the same errand. It's always a pleasure to come to this great city--especially when you have so many friends. But there is a…
September 26, 1952 Mr. President, Mr. Chairman, Mrs. Magnuson, Mrs. Truman: I appreciate most highly this scroll which you have given me. I sincerely wish that I deserved the statement that I am the most musical President. My musical…
October 19, 1951 GENERAL, it gives me a lot of pleasure, on behalf of the Cabinet, to present you with the seat that you have occupied as Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense with such great honor and credit to the Government of the United…
September 30, 1950 THE CITATION on which I have awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor to Maj. Gen. William F. Dean is an inadequate description of the gallant acts of that distinguished officer. These acts, so inspiring to those of us here on the…
December 14, 1946 IN MY recent statement on housing I made it dear that there would be no major modification in the objective of rapidly and adequately housing our veterans. At the same time I emphasized the great need to stimulate rental housing for…
October 29, 1948 ON THE 25th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey, the people of the United States join me in extending cordial greetings and best wishes to President Inonu and to the people of Turkey. The full significance of this…
November 22, 1949 Mr. Chairman, delegates, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: It is a great pleasure for me to meet again with the delegates to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and to welcome you to…
September 27, 1952 [Released September 27, 1952. Dated September 26, 1952] Dear Mr. Chairman: I would like the Federal Trade Commission to launch a special investigation to give us a breakdown of the consumer's dollar. We need to know,…
October 10, 1950 GENERAL MACARTHUR and I are making a quick trip over the coming weekend to meet in the Pacific. When I see him I shall express to him the appreciation and gratitude of the people and Government of the United States for the great…
October 29, 1948 [1.] YONKERS, NEW YORK (Reception, Larkin Plaza, 12:25 p.m.) Thank you. Thank you very, very much. I am most happy, most happy and pleased at this wonderful reception which you have given me here this afternoon. I think…
November 23, 1949 My dear Mr. Prime Minister: I have received with appreciation your gracious letter and your portrait sent upon your departure from the United States. You may be assured that your visit has been a source of great pleasure…
October 20, 1951 I HAVE today signed H.R. 4473, the Revenue Act of 1951. This act will raise about $5.5 billion in additional revenues in a full year--the bulk of it from taxes on individual and corporate incomes. It will raise about $2.5 billion in the…
September 27, 1952 [Broadcast from the White House at 10:55 p.m.] My fellow Americans: Next week, throughout the Nation, we are beginning our annual Red feather campaigns. In more than 1,600 towns and cities all across the country, the…
December 17, 1946 My dear Captain Conway: Last year, when you occupied the position of War Shipping Administrator, I appointed you Chairman of the Interagency Committee on Export Transportation. In that capacity you coordinated the work of…
December 18, 1946 LAST DECEMBER I made a statement of this Government's views regarding China.1 We believed then and do now that a united and democratic China is of the utmost importance to world peace, that a broadening of the base of the National…
October 29, 1948 Dr. Johnson, and members of the Ministerial Alliance which has given me this award: I am exceedingly grateful for it. I hope I shall always deserve it. This, in my mind, is a most solemn occasion. It's made a tremendous…
October 11, 1950 [Released October 11, 1950. Dated October 9, 1950] My dear Mr.__________ You will recall that in connection with my approval of H.R. 5472, the Rivers and Harbors and Flood Control Acts of 1950 (P.L. 516, 81st Cong.), I…
December 8, 1949 CHARLES G. ROSS, Secretary to the President: Gentlemen, we have with us today as our guest, the distinguished contributor to the Federal Register.1 [Laughter] 1In describing this news conference the New York Times…
September 28, 1952 IN THE DEATH of David K. Niles early this morning I have lost a close friend and a trusted associate. He served two Presidents of the United States in positions of the highest trust and confidence. Presidents have been served by…
October 22, 1951 I HAVE today signed S. 1959, a bill which makes certain revisions in the Taft-Hartley Act. This legislation eliminates the present requirement that a special election be conducted by the National Labor Relations Board before a union…
October 29, 1948 THANK YOU--thank you very, very much. I have had the most cordial and warmest welcome that any man could wish for, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. All of Greater New York has given me a wonderful reception, and Brooklyn…
December 18, 1946 THE PRESIDENT. [1.] Reiteration of the policy toward China was released today. I think you have all had it. [2.] And also, the Economic Council's Report to me was released to you.1 1The First Report of the…
December 13, 1949 ON August 30, 1949, I requested the Secretary of Commerce to prepare for my consideration a report outlining the major policy issues which need to be resolved in order to assure maximum effectiveness and consistency of Federal…