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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).

March 10, 1947 To the Congress of the United States: In my message of March 3, 1947, to the congress, I recommended that there be no extension of the Selective Training and Service Act at this time. Because I am confident that the Congress…
March 4, 1952 Dr. Compton and members of the Cabinet of the United States, distinguished guests and friends of peace all around the world: I am speaking to you today from a ship. It is a special kind of ship, and it will perform a very…
March 21, 1949 Mr. Chairman, and members of the mayors conference: I feel very much at home before this Conference of Mayors. One reason is that I remember the hospitality and the courtesy that so many of you showed me on my recent tours…
March 8, 1946 CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD Of THE MEDAL FOR MERIT TO J. EDGAR HOOVER J. EDGAR HOOVER, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the United States. A preeminent citizen and public servant, Mr…
March 24, 1948 I AM deeply gratified that representatives of more than 50 nations are signing today in Havana the Charter for the International Trade Organization. This Charter will now be sent to the government of each nation for ratification. The…
June 7, 1945 ALL TOO FEW realize the transportation difficulties which are now developing and which will continue well into 1946. It is important that the public understand the situation and at once lend full cooperation in order that the burden may be…
March 13, 1950 To the Congress of the United States: I am transmitting today Reorganization Plans Nos. 1 to 13 of 1950, designed to strengthen the management of six executive departments and seven regulatory commissions. These plans propose…
March 14, 1951 My dear_____________: The final volume of the report and recommendations of the Water Resources Policy Commission, which I appointed in January 1950, has now been published. Copies of this report have been made available to…
March 11, 1947 Dear Mr.______________: As an aftermath of the war, the United States faces critical problems in connection with the construction, modernization, and maintenance of an adequate fleet of passenger and freight vessels. With no…
June 7, 1945 Dear General Knudsen: As you return to civilian life I want to express appreciation for the distinguished service you have rendered to your country in the prosecution of the war. Your organizational genius in transforming our…
March 13, 1950 To the Congress of the United States: I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1950, prepared in accordance with the Reorganization Act of 1949 and providing for reorganizations in the Department of the Treasury. My…
March 8, 1946 CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD Of THE MEDAL FOR MERIT TO JOHN MONROE JOHNSON JOHN MONROE JOHNSON, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the United States as Director of the Office of Defense…
March 23, 1949 Secretary Tobin, ladies and gentlemen: I am very glad to welcome you here today to this conference on industrial safety. You are meeting in the interest of one of the highest purposes of mankind--to save human lives. Your…
March 25, 1948 THE PRESIDENT. I have a short statement I want to read to you to begin with. Then we will have questions, if you feel like it. [1.] [Reading] "It is vital that the American people have a clear understanding of the position of the United…
March 6, 1952 To the Congress of the United States: I recommend that the Congress authorize the continuance of the Mutual Security Program for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1953. Such action is essential to advance our program for world…
June 8, 1945 IT IS A PLEASURE to announce that His Excellency Juan Antonio Rios, President of Chile, will visit the United States in October of this year as an official guest of this Government. President Rios originally planned to visit the United…
March 15, 1951 THE PRESIDENT [to the photographers]. I think you fellows have had enough now. Get out of here, and let me go to work! [Laughter] [1.] I have these two statements which-copies will be handed to you. One of them is on the Reorganization…
March 23, 1949 THIS IS not a hard subject to discuss. I have known Mr. Forrestal ever since he came to Washington, and I have known him favorably and well. I knew him before he became Secretary of the Navy. He was Secretary of the Navy when I became…
March 29, 1948 My dear Mr. Secretary: I have today, based on your recommendations and because of the need of meeting a situation which has developed in the Provo River Reclamation Project, approved S. 1990, a bill "To provide a means for…
March 8, 1946 CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD Of THE MEDAL FOR MERIT TO JOHN J. PELLEY JOHN J. PELLEY, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the United States as President of the Association of American…
March 13, 1950 To the Congress of the United States: I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1950, prepared in accordance with the Reorganization Act of 1949 and providing for reorganizations in the Department of Justice. My…
March 12, 1947 [As delivered in person before a joint session] Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Congress of the United States: The gravity of the situation which confronts the world today necessitates my appearance before a…
March 6, 1952 THANK YOU very much, father. I hope you will have a successful trip. And these young ladies can always remedy the situation by becoming soldiers' wives, as they no doubt will in time to come, because there is hardly a young man in this…
June 8, 1945 MAJOR GENERAL Edwin M. Watson, United States Army, served as Military Aide to the President for a period of nearly twelve years, from 1 June 1933 to 20 February 1945, the last six years of which he also served as Secretary to the President…
March 12, 1946 [ Released March 12, 1946. Dated March 11, 1946 ] Dear Senator O'Mahoney: On January fifth you sent me a memorandum on wool in accordance with a suggestion I had made to you at a conference on the subject. In your…