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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).

October 4, 1952 I APPRECIATE most highly this wonderful welcome, and I am more than happy to be here with you tonight. I am enjoying my visit to your great State, and I wish I had time to go all over it, but I can't do that this trip, it's too big. I…
October 27, 1951 Mr. Chairman, Mr. Secretary, distinguished guests: I am going to open my remarks by reading you a letter: "My dear Mr. President. I regret very much not being able to be present when you dedicate the Gompers Square, owing…
December 3, 1948 NATIONWIDE progress in the reduction of motor vehicle deaths and accidents since adoption of the President's Highway Safety Conference Action Program in 1946 has been steady and gratifying. Activities in line with the Action Program…
February 2, 1946 [ Released February 2, 1946. Dated February 1, 1946 ] My dear Senator McMahon: You have requested my views on S. 1717, a bill for the domestic development and control of atomic energy. I wish to give you my thoughts at…
February 5, 1952 Dear Mr. Fuller: Thank you very much for your telegram concerning the Presidential Preference Primary in New Hampshire. I am most grateful to those who signed the petitions in my behalf. It is my understanding that, in…
February 16, 1948 To the Congress of the United States: Pursuant to the provisions of Public Law 75 (80th Congress, 1st session, 61 Stat. 103), I submit herewith the second quarterly report on aid to Greece and Turkey, covering the period…
February 2, 1951 To the Congress of the United States: In the January messages to the Congress, I stated my intention of making further recommendations on a number of important matters. One of the most urgent of these is the need for…
February 3, 1949 THE PRESIDENT. I have one announcement a couple of announcements to make for you [1.] I am going to appoint Governor M. C. Wallgren to be Chairman of the National Security Resources Board, succeeding John R. Steelman, who has been…
February 1, 1950 [Released February 1, 1950. Dated January 31, 1950] Dear Mr. Speaker: I am transmitting herewith the report and recommendations of the Bureau of the Budget with respect to the organization and operations of the Panama…
February 8, 1947 THE HEALTH of the Nation is a matter of paramount concern to all our citizens. Good health is, after all, a priceless asset to the Nation and to the individual. Perhaps it is our greatest national asset. This country was spared many…
May 8, 1945 NAZI GERMANY has been defeated. The Japanese people have felt the weight of our land, air and naval attacks. So long as their leaders and the armed forces continue the war the striking power and intensity of our blows will…
November 6, 1950 Mr. Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Mayor, Mayor Weatherford, and distinguished guests and friends: I have been looking around over this meeting, and I think I could almost call every one of you by your first name, and tell nearly…
October 6, 1952 [1.] SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (Rear platform, 7:50 a.m.) Thank you very much for this cordial welcome this early in the morning. I appreciate it most highly. I remember how cordial you were when I came here in 1948, and I shall…
December 3, 1948 [ Released December 3, 1948. Dated December 2, 1948 ] Dear Mr. Sloan: I am delighted to learn of the new radio awards initiated by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to encourage the widest possible cooperation of the…
October 30, 1951 I HAVE today signed H.R. 3669, "An Act to amend the Railroad Retirement Act and the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act, and for other purposes." This act will provide badly-needed increases in benefit payments for more than 400,000…
November 6, 1950 Mr. Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. Mayor of Annecy, Mr. Mayor of Independence, my good friends: This is a great, great day for Independence. You know, I went to Sunday school right across there--the first time in my life, a long, long…
December 7, 1948 THE PRESIDENT, following adoption by the United Nations General Assembly on November 19 of a resolution for assistance to Palestine refugees, will recommend to Congress that the United States contribute 50 percent of the amount…
October 6, 1952 I CERTAINLY appreciate that most cordial welcome. I have had a wonderful tour around the United States, starting in Washington, D.C., and going across North Dakota and Montana and the great States of Washington and California and Utah.…
October 30, 1951 Mr. Chairman, Admiral: I came over here unexpectedly today, after I heard that the Admiral was having a tribute paid to him, to add my nickel's worth to the performance. I want to say to you that Admiral McIntire is in…
October 31, 1951 IT CERTAINLY is a very great pleasure for me as President of the United States to welcome you to the Capital of our country. On behalf of the Government and the people of the United States, I bid you a most hearty welcome. I think…
October 7, 1952 [1] MALTA, COLORADO (Rear platform, 9:30 a.m.) Good morning. I am certainly glad to be here this morning. I have had a grand time watching the train go through Tennessee Pass. I heard my grandfather talk about it many a…
November 12, 1950 THE FOREIGN economic policy of the United States is of key importance in influencing the course of world events. It is one of the central instruments with which we can meet the present world crisis and through which we can promote the…
December 8, 1948 I AM very happy to welcome you, President Prio, to the United States. No two countries of this closely knit hemisphere have been bound together more closely than the Republic of Cuba and the United States. The friendly bond between…
November 1, 1951 [Released November 1, 1951. Dated October 31, 1951] Dear Miss Hennock: I regret that the Senate Judiciary Committee has not taken action on the confirmation of your appointment as a United States District Judge for the…
November 13, 1950 My dear Chairman Mitchell: I have today signed an Executive Order, "Establishing special personnel procedures in the interest of the national defense." Under this Order and under the Civil Service laws and rules the…