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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).

December 18, 1952 I HAVE today received the summary report and recommendations of the President's Commission on the Health Needs of the Nation. This report is the product of 12 months of intensive work by the 15 professional and lay members of the…
December 18, 1952 THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated. I have no special announcements to make. I made the only announcement I had today, already. So if you want to ask me questions, I will try to answer them. [1.] Q. Mr. President, what…
December 19, 1952 General Craig and gentlemen: You men are engaged in one of the most important studies that Americans can engage in today. You are studying our national policy in its broadest sense. Our national policy is not simply our…
December 22, 1952 Dear Mr. Gorrie: I want to thank the National Security Resources Board and the interested Government agencies for the work they have done in answer to my request for advice regarding actions deemed appropriate in…
December 24, 1952 [Broadcast nationally at 5:15 p.m.] My fellow Americans: As we light this National Christmas tree tonight, here on the White House lawn-as all of us light our own Christmas trees in our own homes--we remember another…
December 29, 1952 My dear Mr. Spingarn: I have read the documents on ethics in government which you sent me on December twelfth. You are performing a public service in calling attention to a fundamental principle that is in danger of being carelessly…
December 30, 1952 Dear Mr. Chairman: I have been informed that certain goods of primary strategic significance have been shipped from the United Kingdom, France, and Italy to various countries of the Soviet Bloc in fulfillment of long-…
December 31, 1952 THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated. I have an announcement or two that I will give you, then you can ask questions, if you like. [1.] At 10:30 to 11, January 15th, I am going to make a broadcast to the Nation on the radio,…
February 14, 1946 I AM ISSUING an Executive Order reestablishing the Office of Economic Stabilization. The new wage and price policy will place great demands on both the Office of Economic Stabilization and the Office of Price Administration. I plan to…
February 22, 1949 I DON'T know whether I am supposed to tell all I know on Vaughan or not--if I haven't, the time is about right; but I am very happy to be here tonight because I have known General Vaughan all his military life, and some time besides…
February 13, 1950 To the Congress of the United States: In the Budget Message for 1951, I stated that there is some question whether some of the training being received by veterans under the Servicemen's Readjustment Act is conforming to…
May 23, 1945 Dear Francis: In accepting your resignation, I desire to express my appreciation of the patriotic services which you have rendered to your country during the war and during the days when we were preparing for the war. I shall…
February 13, 1951 I WOULD LIKE to say to you young men that this we appreciate. I think this is the best public relations between nations that can possibly be carried on. I understand that we have exchanges in the other countries, doing over there just…
February 22, 1948 Governor Hastie, fellow citizens and friends: I am indeed happy to be here visiting these beautiful islands. The harbor here at Charlotte Amalie surely must be one of the most beautiful in the world. I am particularly…
February 20, 1947 THE PRESIDENT. Good morning. How are you all? Q. How are you? Q. Quite a snowfall. THE PRESIDENT. I was just watching it. They tell me that the streets are as slick as glass. [1.] Q. You didn't…
February 14, 1952 To the Congress of the United States: I recommend that the Congress enact temporary legislation to give Mr. Newbold Morris, Special Assistant to the Attorney General, the power to compel the attendance and testimony of…
December 31, 1952 THE SECRETARY of Agriculture announced yesterday that he was applying some additional restrictions to imports of dairy products, in accordance with the provisions of section 104 of the Defense Production Act. Section 104 requires the…
January 2, 1953 My dear Senator George: I am writing to you and Senator Millikin and also to Congressmen Cooper and Reed to ask for your cooperation in prompt handling of a legislative matter which I am sure you will agree should be…
January 3, 1953 Memorandum to the Secretary of State: I have read your memorandum of today concerning the case of John Carter Vincent. I think the suggestions which you make are well taken and I authorize and direct you to proceed in the manner which…
January 5, 1953 Dear Dr. Peel: I appreciate most highly receiving the latest census reports which show so graphically the wonderful economic conditions of the United States. These figures confirm the facts, obvious to most of us, that the…
January 5, 1953 I HAVE personally extended my congratulations and my gratitude to members of the special Commission on Immigration and Naturalization for the excellent report which the Commission has submitted to me. The report "Whom We Shall Welcome…
January 6, 1953 UNDER AUTHORITY given me by the act of Congress creating the Olympic National Park, I have issued a proclamation today adding to the park 47,753 acres of land now owned by the Federal Government. This action brings the area of the park…
January 7, 1953 To the Congress of the United States: I have the honor to report to the Congress on the state of the Union. This is the eighth such report that, as President, I have been privileged to present to you and to the…
January 9, 1953 To the Congress of the United States: I am transmitting, with this Message, the Budget of the United States Government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1954. This Budget represents my judgment as to the amount of funds…
January 9, 1953 THERE HAVE recently been a number of misleading or inaccurate statements made concerning the budget figures and the change in the public debt during my term in office. There is no excuse for such statements, because the relevant…