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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).

February 6, 1946 FOR THE WORLD as a whole, a food crisis has developed which may prove to be the worst in modern times. More people face starvation and even actual death for want of food today than in any war year and perhaps more than in all the war…
February 7, 1949 THE TREMENDOUS toll of the heart diseases must be of deep concern to all our citizens. Combatting the Nation's leading cause of death has become our most serious national health problem. Most recent figures compiled by our National…
February 5, 1952 Mr. Commander, distinguished guests: It has been a long time since I have had the privilege of attending this dinner. When I was a Member of the United States Senate, I was able to come regularly. I am glad of the privilege to come…
February 17, 1948 To the Senate of the United States: With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification, I transmit herewith a copy of each of the following instruments signed in the English and French languages…
February 2, 1951 Dear Tom: I want the members of the Federal Reserve Board and the members of the Federal Open Market Committee to know how deeply I appreciate their expression of full cooperation given to me yesterday in our meeting. As…
February 2, 1950 THE PRESIDENT. [1.] Last week there was a misunderstanding about a certain appointment. I was talking about one thing and the question was about another.1 Q. A little louder, please! 1 See Item 23 [20]. THE…
May 8, 1945 To Prime Minister Churchill: With the unconditional surrender of all the armies of Nazidom and the liberation of the oppressed people of Europe from the evils of barbarism, I wish to express to you, and through you to Britain's…
February 13, 1947 THIS GOVERNMENT stands ready to do everything within its power to relieve the plight of the British people in their present fuel emergency. Although we have received no request from England for aid, I have directed Captain Granville…
November 6, 1951 I CAN'T tell you how much I appreciate this book. I have, I think, as large a collection of cartoons on myself as any other President ever had, and I am very proud of them. There isn't wall space enough in my present cramped quarters…
October 11, 1952 Dr. Johnson, members of the Interdenominational Ministers Meeting, Mr. Mayor and distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: I deeply appreciate the Franklin Delano Roosevelt award you have just given me. I appreciate it all the more…
November 24, 1950 My dear Mr. Chairman: The drought, the consequent crop failure and the imminence of famine in Yugoslavia is a development which seriously affects the security of the North Atlantic area. These events dangerously weaken…
November 6, 1951 Mr. Commander: I appreciate this statement of yours very much. I have always, all my life, been interested in Poland, because Poland has been through, I guess, as much suffering as any other one country in the world. But…
November 27, 1950 My dear Mr. Vice President: I hope that at this session the Senate will approve the bills now before it for the admission of the Territories of Hawaii and Alaska to the Union as States. These bills, H.R. 49 relating to…
October 11, 1952 Mr. Chairman, Mr. Mayor, distinguished guests: I am highly pleased to be here tonight and before I start on my regular address, I want to say to you that I don't think I have enjoyed organ music any more than I did the…
November 7, 1951 My dear Mr. Chairman: As you know, the United States has for some time been supplying economic assistance to Yugoslavia in order to strengthen the defense capabilities of that country. Part of this assistance has come from…
November 27, 1950 Dear Mr. Chairman: As you know, the Housing and Rent Act of 1950 will eliminate rent control in all incorporated cities, towns and villages, after December 31, 1950, unless they have taken affirmative action by that date…
October 16, 1952 [I.] NORTH HAVEN, CONNECTICUT (North Haven Green, 9 a.m.) It is nice of you to come to meet me at this time of the morning. Although I am an early riser, the minority do not get up as early as I do. I believe you have…
October 16, 1952 I AM more than happy to see so many people out here today to welcome the President of the United States in his capacity as the head of the Democratic Party. Last week and the week before, I crossed the country from coast to coast. I…
November 7, 1951 [Broadcast from the White House at 10:30 p.m.] My fellow Americans, and free peoples all around the world: The General Assembly of the United Nations is now meeting in Paris. This great town meeting of the world has…
November 29, 1950 To the Congress of the United States: I recommend that the Congress enact legislation authorizing further United States assistance to meet the emergency created by the food shortage in Yugoslavia. More than two years ago…
October 16, 1952 I APPRECIATE very much that most cordial welcome. I appreciate also the welcome which I received out on the street. I don't think I ever had a more cordial welcome in my whole political career than I had here tonight. Now, I don't…
November 29, 1950 I AM gratified that the new Advisory Board on International Development is today beginning to carry out the significant duties assigned it under the Act for International Development. That act, which authorized the Point 4 program,…
November 11, 1951 THIS Sunday is Armistice Day, the anniversary of the day the fighting ended in World War I. On that first Armistice Day, we hoped that we had won a real and lasting peace for all the world. We were disappointed in that hope. We were…
October 17, 1952 [1.] PORTSMOUTH, NEW HAMPSHIRE (Rear platform, 8 a.m.) Well, I see that New England has the same habit that we have in Missouri. You get up at the right time of day. I took a walk around your city this morning, and I…
November 30, 1950 THE PRESIDENT. Good morning, everybody. Sit down. [1.] I have got a statement I want to read to you. There will be copies available when you get ready to leave here. I will take it as slowly as I can. [Reading] "Recent…