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).

November 15, 1951 THE PRESIDENT. Go ahead, what's on your mind? Q. First, Mr. President, have you anything you want to tell us before we start? THE PRESIDENT. No. I have nothing. [1.] Q. Mr. President, since we last saw you, Mr. Auriol…
November 20, 1951 THANK YOU very much, Doctor. It is a very great pleasure and privilege to meet you this afternoon. I am highly interested in what you are doing. I am highly interested in the exchange of ideas which take place and how little…
December 1, 1950 To the Congress of the United States: I am today transmitting to the Congress a request for additional funds to strengthen our defenses. The gravity of the world situation requires that these funds be made available with…
October 17, 1952 Governor, Mr. Chairman: It is, of course, always a pleasure for me to come to Boston, and I hope you will let me come back when I am out of a job. This year I am not asking for votes for myself, but I want your votes for…
November 20, 1951 Madam President, the Woman's National Democratic Club, ladies and gentlemen: I am glad to be here tonight. You know, I just flew up here from Key West, and I'm going to fly back down there tomorrow. I have…
October 17, 1952 [ Read by Howland H. Sargeant, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs ] Mr. Edison, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: I am most regretful that I cannot be with you in person to attend this Mobilization…
December 1, 1950 IT IS gratifying to know that those who are serving the colors have readily available opportunities to receive spiritual advice and guidance. On behalf of the American public, I want to congratulate our chaplains on the fine work they…
November 29, 1951 THE PRESIDENT. [1.] I am going to read you a statement on a matter about which you are very much interested. [Reading] "I hope everyone understands now that there has been no cease-fire in Korea, and that there can be none until an…
October 18, 1952 [I.] BROCKTON, MASSACHUSETTS (Platform on Legion Parkway, 8:18 a.m.) I am happy to be here this morning in this city which is famous for its shoes, and for its great boxing champion, Rocky Marciano. I imagine that if you…
December 4, 1950 Dear Mr._________: I wish to recommend action in the present session to renew the program of vocational rehabilitation for disabled veterans, which was in effect during and after World War II. Since the armed forces are…
December 3, 1951 I HAVE today signed an Executive Order creating the Committee on Government Contract Compliance. The purpose of this order is to secure better compliance by contractors and subcontractors with certain provisions now required in their…
October 18, 1952 Mr. Chairman, Governor Roberts, distinguished guests: It is a pleasure for me to be with you this morning. I remember very, very well this meeting out here in 1948. I received a most cordial welcome and the beautiful part…
December 5, 1950 Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen: As we meet here today, the serious crisis in world affairs overshadows all that we do. This country of ours, together with the other members of the United Nations, is engaged in a…
January 7, 1947 My dear Jim: I have weighed carefully the considerations set forth in your letter of December 19, 1946, and in your letter of April 16, 1946, each emphasizing your desire to retire from the office of Secretary of State.…
January 5, 1951 THE FORMATION of the United Defense Fund is highly gratifying to me and, I am sure, to everyone concerned with the national defense effort. It is good to know that, through this fund, many of our voluntary health and welfare agencies…
April 17, 1945 THIS IS the third time that the Lend-Lease Act has been extended by the Congress--each time by overwhelming majorities. This mighty instrument for victory is one of the growing monuments to the boldness, imagination and effective…
January 8, 1948 My dear : I am attaching hereto a draft of bill to authorize the President to appoint Major General Laurence S. Kuter as a member of the Civil Aeronautics Board, without affecting his military status and perquisites.…
January 5, 1950 THE PRESIDENT. [1.] I have a statement I want to read to you. It will be handed to you in mimeographed form after the press conference. [Reading] "The United States Government has always stood for good faith in international relations…
January 3, 1952 I HAVE today signed an Executive order creating a Missouri Basin Survey Commission. It will be the duty of this Commission to study the land and water resources of the Missouri River basin, and to make recommendations for…
January 4, 1946 Dear Admiral: The time has come when it is incumbent upon me to acquiesce with the utmost reluctance in the wish to retire which you have so often expressed during the past few months. It is nevertheless with sincere regret…
January 6, 1949 Dear Mr._____________: I request that the Congress take prompt action to increase the compensation of the heads and assistant heads of the Executive departments and of other Government officers of comparable rank.…
February 17, 1948 Mr. Secretary, Miss Miller, and members of the Women's Bureau Conference: It is certainly a pleasure for me to be over here this morning. When I told Admiral Leahy and the aides that I was coming over to address a…
February 13, 1947 WE ARE very fortunate today to have as our guest the President-elect of Uruguay, our good friend. We appreciate very much his being here today. We want him to enjoy his visit in the United States. We want to contribute to that…
February 2, 1950 THE Surgeon General of the United States Public Health Service has called heart diseases, which annually kill more than 625,000 men, women, and children, our most challenging public health problem. They are the Nation's leading cause…
February 3, 1951 Dr. Poling, associate chaplains, and ladies and gentlemen: This chapel commemorates something more than an act of bravery or courage. It commemorates a great act of faith in God. The four chaplains whose memory this…