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 17, 1951
THANK YOU very much. I can't tell you how very much I appreciate the privilege of another visit to Aberdeen Proving Ground. This is my third visit. The last one, I think, was somewhere in the neighborhood of 1943, when I was here with…
February 24, 1949
[Delivered at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington at 9:40 p.m.]
Mr. Chairman, fellow Democrats:
I can't tell you how very much I appreciate the introduction of the chairman of the Democratic National Committee. I wish I…
January 16, 1953
Dear Dean:
I have your letter of resignation, effective at the end of my term, January 20, 1953, and I accept it with warm thanks for a job well done. I am glad I've had you with me all the way.
You have been my good…
January 16, 1953
Dear John:
I am sure that no President ever received more dependable advice and assistance than you have given me during the period of almost eight years since I called you back from St. Louis in April 1945, to join my…
January 16, 1953
Dear Jim:
As I accept your resignation, effective at the close of my term January 20, 1953, I want to express to you my appreciation of your willingness to give up the lifetime tenure of a Judgeship to accept, at my…
January 16, 1953
Dear Jess:
I have your resignation as Postmaster General and I accede to your wishes, effective at the end of my term of office, January 20, 1953.
I have been fortunate to have you in my official family. Your…
January 16, 1953
[Released January 16, 1953. Dated January 13, 1953]
Dear Oscar:
I have your letter of January seventh and, in accordance with your wish, I am accepting your resignation effective at the end of my term of office. As I do…
January 16, 1953
[Released January 16, 1953. Dated January 13, 1953]
Dear Charlie:
I have received your letter of January eighth and, in accordance with your wish, I am accepting your resignation effective at the close of my term of…
January 16, 1953
[Released January 16, 1953. Dated January 15, 1953]
Dear Maurice :
I want to thank you both officially and personally for the good work you have done as a member of my Cabinet, as I accept your resignation effective at…
January 17, 1953
[Released January 17, 1953. Dated January 16, 1953]
Memorandum for the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of General Services
The Board of Visitors of the Virginia Military Institute has…
January 19, 1953
To the Congress of the United States:
As I leave the office of President, I should like to call to the attention of the Congress several recent actions designed to provide a better basis for the development of our water…
January 19, 1953
Dear General Eisenhower:
I am glad to transmit to you the report of the President's Committee on Government Contract Compliance, which was handed to me on January sixteenth. At my request this Committee investigated fully…
February 24, 1949
[Delivered at the Statler Hotel in Washington at 10:40 p.m.]
Fellow Democrats, Mr. Chairman of the meeting tonight, Mr. Chairman of the National Democratic Committee:
I certainly appreciate that wonderful introduction. I…
February 20, 1946
I HAVE SIGNED today the Employment Act of 1946. In enacting this legislation the Congress and the President are responding to an overwhelming demand of the people. The legislation gives expression to a deep-seated desire for a…
February 19, 1951
To the Congress of the United States:
I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1951, prepared in accordance with the Reorganization Act of 1949.
The reorganization plan provides strengthened administration of the…
February 24, 1948
THE PALESTINE problem has been, and is, the deep concern of this Government. It has been given the most careful consideration by me, the Cabinet, and other responsible Government officials. The U.S. position has been developed through…
February 20, 1952
I HEARTILY commend the Christian Endeavor Movement for its "Crusade for Christian Citizenship."
Indifference to civic responsibilities and duties is one of the major causes of crime and bad government and contributes to the spread of…
February 25, 1947
I WISH to reaffirm the faith of this administration in the Cordell Hull Reciprocal Trade Agreements Program which became effective in 1934 and which has been extended by Congress all these years. This program is based on the principle…
February 16, 1950
Mr. Chairman, distinguished guests, and fellow Democrats:
This is the most remarkable dinner I have ever seen. And during my 30 years in politics, I have seen many a dinner. I have attended many Democratic meetings such as…
May 23, 1945
Dear Marvin:
In view of your desire expressed to me last month to return to your place on the Court of
Claims, I regretfully accept your resignation. I understand that the Chief Justice of the Court is
now anxious that you resume your…
January 20, 1953
[Released January 20, 1953. Dated January 19, 1953]
Dear Mr. Campbell:
I am happy to join with you in the recognition of the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of the Federal Civil Service merit system. I have great…
April 17, 1945
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] The first thing I want to do to you is to read the rules.
"News emanating from the President's conferences with the press will continue to be divided in categories already known to you, and in keeping with the…
January 10, 1948
THE PRESIDENT. I have got a statement I will read you, then we will go into questions.
Mr. Ross: This conference is for background purposes, and any information given out is not for attribution except as to the statement. The rest of…
January 5, 1952
MR. PRIME MINISTER, I can't tell you when I have had more pleasure than I have this morning in welcoming you as a visitor to the United States of America.
I hope you will enjoy your visit. I hope that it will be a satisfactory one…
January 5, 1950
Mr. Chairman, Mr. Vice President, members of this great organization:
I have been over at the house all evening, working on two more messages on the state of the Union. One of them is ready to go down tomorrow. It is the…