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).
March 2, 1950
WELL, it is a pleasure to have you here, and I appreciate Mr. Davis bringing you in. You have a career before you that is absolutely essential to the welfare of this great Nation of ours.
The development of brains is much more important…
March 11, 1948
THE PRESIDENT. [1] First, I want to pay attention to a vicious statement that was made by a columnist in a New York gossip paper, in which he said I had made the statement to an editor of a New York paper here that the Jews in New York…
March 1, 1951
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] Please sit down. I had a very satisfactory telephone call this morning. The 15 nonoperating unions, representing a million workers, reached an agreement at the bargaining table.
I congratulate them, and I congratulate…
March 1, 1946
I APPRECIATE very much your being here today. We are in a very serious condition, so far as world food consumption is concerned. I sincerely believe that with your advice and your help we will be able to work this program out, so that the…
March 4, 1949
I AM GLAD to meet all of you this morning, and I am glad to know what you are trying to do. I think you are on the right track. The thing that pleases me most is that I don't see so many bald pates and gray heads as I had expected to see…
March 3, 1950
To the Congress of the United States:
I wish to report to the Congress on the emergency confronting the Nation as a result of a shortage of coal, and to recommend legislative action. Since February 6, 1950, the production of…
February 28, 1947
[ Broadcast from the White House at 10 p.m. ]
My Fellow Citizens:
Recently there came to my desk a small pamphlet with a four-word title, "This Is Our Story." I opened it to find inside one of the really great stories of…
February 28, 1952
THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated.
[1.] I asked Mr. Paul Walker to be Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, and I am sending down the name of Robert T. Bartley to fill the vacancy.
Q. Would you spell his last…
June 2, 1945
IN THIS FOURTH YEAR of war the need for every ounce of food which the American people
can produce and preserve is greater than ever before.
The supply lines to feed our troops and the millions fighting and working with them are the…
January 9, 1951
To the Congress of the United States:
In compliance with the provisions of Section 22 of the Act of June 18, 1929, as amended (2 U.S.C. 2a), relating to the decennial censuses and the apportionment of Representatives in…
April 17, 1945
To the Armed Forces of the United States throughout the world:
After the tragic news of the death of our late Commander in Chief, it was my duty to speak promptly to the Congress, and the Armed Forces of the United States…
January 9, 1952
[As delivered in person before a joint session]
Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Congress:
I have the honor to report to the Congress on the state of the Union.
At the outset, I should like to speak of the necessity for…
January 12, 1948
[ Released January 12, 1948. Dated January 6, 1948 ]
To the Congress of the United States:
I am transmitting my recommendations for the Budget of the United States for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1949, together with…
January 8, 1947
Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments, Commissions, and Agencies:
The American Red Cross during the five years of World War II gave a full measure of devotion to the relief of human suffering and the welfare of…
January 6, 1950
IN THE State of the Union Message to Congress, I called attention to the supreme need of our time to use our great powers of mastery over the physical world to develop the moral and legal framework within which mankind can live together…
January 7, 1949
To the Congress of the United States:
The people of the United States have just enjoyed another year of bountiful prosperity. This has enabled us further to strengthen our economy at home, and further to supplement the…
January 7, 1946
THE Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry is beginning this morning to hold hearings on Palestine and the European Jews.
The President is glad to note that the Committee has started its proceedings so promptly. It is to be hoped that the…
March 1, 1946
[ Broadcast from the White House at 9:55 p.m. ]
My Fellow Americans:
The American Red Cross is so close to the hearts of us all that I need not even repeat it.
First, I wish to pay a personal tribute to the three million…
March 5, 1949
To the Congress of the United States:
The maintenance of adequate armed forces has been one of the principal functions of the Federal Government since the establishment of this Nation. Today we maintain our armed forces in…
March 7, 1950
Dear Mr.___________:
In my message of March 3, 1950, to the Congress, I urged the Congress to act immediately on legislation to authorize the Government to take possession of and operate the coal mines. I submitted with that…
March 3, 1947
To the Congress of the United States:
The Selective Service and Training Act will expire on March 31, 1947. The only assured way of maintaining the Army and the Navy at their required strengths during the Fiscal Year 1948 is…
June 4, 1945
The Speaker of the House of Representatives:
I have the honor to transmit for the consideration of the Congress an estimate of
appropriation for defense aid for the fiscal year 1946, exclusive of aid authorized to be…
March 1, 1951
IT IS a pleasure to me to welcome you here. I hope you will all go through with what you have started, and wind up just as Mr. Davis has said your predecessors have, because the power and welfare of this country is wrapped up in…
March 15, 1948
[Released March 15, 1948. Dated March 13, 1948]
Memorandum to all officers and employees in the executive branch of the Government:
The efficient and just administration of the Employee Loyalty Program, under Executive…
February 28, 1952
My fellow Americans:
I want to tell you something about what the American Red Cross has been doing this past year.
The Red Cross is your organization. It is relieving human distress and suffering at home and throughout…