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).
January 6, 1946
THIS WINTER more than 300 million war victims throughout the world are paying the cost of victory in poverty, disease, cold and hunger. In all the countries devastated by war, lack of clothing intensifies their hardships. Their need…
January 8, 1947
To the Congress of the United States:
As the year 1947 opens America has never been so strong or so prosperous. Nor have our prospects ever been brighter.
Yet in the minds of a great many of us there is a fear of another…
January 8, 1951
[As delivered in person before a joint session]
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Congress:
This 82d Congress faces as grave a task as any Congress in the history of our Republic. The actions you take will be watched by the…
January 7, 1949
THE PRESIDENT. I have some announcements to make to you this morning, that is the reason I called the meeting.
[1.] Secretary Marshall and Under Secretary Lovett are resigning, effective the 20th of January.
And I am appointing Dean…
May 23, 1945
THE PRESIDENT. Everybody here?
[1.] Well, I have some Cabinet changes I wanted to tell you about. Mr. Biddle's
resignation has been accepted, and Tom Clark of Texas
will be appointed in his place as Attorney General.
Q. C-l-a…
February 26, 1947
To the Congress of the United States:
I transmit to the Congress, for its information and consideration, the First Report of the Air Coordinating Committee, for the calendar year 1946.
The Committee was established by…
February 17, 1950
My dear Dr. Stewart:
Communications services represent a vital resource in our modern society. They make possible the smooth functioning of our complex economy; they can assist in promoting international understanding and…
February 20, 1952
Dear Jim:
For some time now, I have been seriously concerned about airplane accidents, both commercial and military, that have occurred in the take-off and landing of aircraft, especially in heavily populated areas. I have been…
February 24, 1949
THE PRESIDENT. I have a couple of announcements to make this morning.
[1.] Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney is to be Under Secretary of Commerce, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation last spring of William C. Foster…
February 21, 1946
DURING THE WAR PERIOD, gardening further demonstrated its value to our people in many ways. The splendid response to the appeal for more home-produced food was an important factor in making it possible during the war for the people of…
February 29, 1948
[ Broadcast from Key West, Fla., at 10 p.m. ]
My fellow citizens:
I am speaking to you tonight not about affairs of state, but about that good friend of humanity--the Red Cross.
As the honorary chairman of the Red Cross…
February 20, 1951
IT IS a pleasure to greet you. It seems that the young ladies win their prizes at an earlier date than the young men--18 against 17, if I am not mistaken.
But you are to be congratulated on what you have done. It is a contribution to…
February 26, 1947
THE IMPRESSION that has arisen from yesterday's debate in the British Parliament that America's interest in Palestine and the settlement of Jews there is motivated by partisan and local politics is most unfortunate and misleading.…
February 22, 1950
Mr. Chairman and distinguished guests:
I am exceedingly happy to be with you this morning for breakfast, but I don't think it would be entirely fair for me to take advantage of the opportunity to inflict two speeches on…
February 25, 1949
Dear Mr. Chairman:
Work is now under way on Folsom Dam, on the American River in California, which was authorized for construction by the Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army, in the Flood Control Act, approved…
February 21, 1951
Mr. Chairman, Frank, and distinguished guests from all over the country, and the Supreme Court and legislative branch of the Government, and the Secretaries of the executive branch:
This seems to have been a rather fixed-…
March 1, 1948
THE PRESIDENT. Gentlemen, good morning. I thought maybe you might feel inclined to ask a few questions. I have no statements to make to you, or anything of the sort. Maybe I had better stand up. You can all sit down.
Q. We had better…
May 24, 1945
To the Congress of the United States:
The Congress has repeatedly manifested interest in an orderly transition from war to
peace. It has legislated extensively on the subject, with foresight and wisdom.
I wish to draw the…
February 20, 1952
Memorandum for the Heads of all Executive Departments and Agencies :
I HAVE today appointed a temporary commission to formulate recommendations for me concerning the location and use of airports. This is a matter which concerns me very…
February 21, 1946
THE PRESIDENT. Well, I haven't any special announcements to make to you this morning, so any questions you want to ask I will try to answer.
[1.] Q. Mr. President, have you decided on the membership of the civilian board to--
THE…
February 28, 1949
[Broadcast from the White House at 9:55 p.m.]
My fellow Americans:
On the eve of the 1949 fund campaign of the American Red Cross, I consider it not only a duty, but a genuine privilege, to call upon all men and women of…
March 1, 1948
To the Congress of the United States:
I recommend that the Congress extend the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act in its present form for 3 years, until June 12, 1951. This act authorizes the President, under well-defined…
May 28, 1945
To the Congress of the United States:
The Congress and the Executive Branch of the Government have already moved to
prepare the country for the difficult economic adjustments which the Nation will face during the
transition…
February 22, 1950
IT IS a great privilege to dedicate this inspiring statue of George Washington.
This is the climax of many years of planning and effort. I congratulate particularly the Order of DeMolay, whose contributions have made this statue a…
February 22, 1951
BECAUSE traffic accidents still result in appalling loss of life, personal injury, and economic wastage, the President's Highway Safety Conference is to be reconvened in Washington the week of June 10. Meanwhile, Maj. Gen. Philip B.…