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 8, 1949
My dear Mr._______:
In my message on the State of the Union I asked the Congress to act promptly to extend the Trade Agreements Act without the hampering restrictions placed on it by the last Congress.
As you know,…
January 6, 1950
To the Congress of the United States:
As 1950 opens, renewed confidence prevails in the American economy. This confidence is in itself an element of strength; and it is justified by the facts.
Late in 1948 we stood at the…
January 12, 1948
To the Congress of the United States:
The estimates of appropriation for civil functions of the Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army, in the 1949 Budget include $3,370,000 for beginning construction of the Folsom Dam…
January 8, 1946
THE PRESIDENT. Well, I haven't anything to tell you especially this morning, and so I am open for questions to start with.
[1.] Q. Mr. President, would you care to tell us what you discussed with Mr. Schram this morning?
THE PRESIDENT…
January 10, 1951
Mr. Chairman, Mrs. McAdoo, and all these distinguished guests:
I am grateful for the honor that the Woodrow Wilson Foundation has conferred upon me. In the words of the citation, the award is conferred "for courageous…
March 22, 1947
I HAVE today approved the Urgent Deficiency Appropriation Bill, 1947 (H.R. 1968). This bill provides deficiency funds that I requested for such critically important activities as the Veterans Administration, the Office of Defense…
March 14, 1946
[ Released March 14, 1946. Dated March 13, 1946 ]
Dear Mr. Young:
I have received your letter of March eighth and am deeply impressed by the common sense and spirit of practical service which prompt your suggestion. I…
March 25, 1949
THE PRESIDENT of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Gold Star in lieu of the Third Distinguished Service Medal to
FLEET ADMIRAL WILLIAM D. LEAHY,
UNITED STATES NAVY
for service set forth in the following
CITATION…
June 13, 1945
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] Well, the first thing I want to tell you about is that I called Mr. Hull
yesterday, and asked him to go to San Francisco with me for the closing of the conference,
whenever that takes place. And he said he would like…
March 13, 1950
To the Congress of the United States:
I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 6 of 1950, prepared in accordance with the Reorganization Act of 1949 and providing for reorganizations in the Department of Labor. My reasons…
April 1, 1948
Sir:
In my address to the Congress on March 17, 1948, I stated that we need an adequate and balanced military strength to carry out our purpose of achieving peace in the world. To accomplish this objective, a limited increase…
March 7, 1952
To the heads of all departments and agencies:
Set out below is the text of a letter I am sending today to Representative frank L. Chelf, Chairman of a Special Subcommittee of the House Committee on the Judiciary. In view of…
March 26, 1951
IT GIVES ME real pleasure to approve the enrolled enactment of H.R. 2268. This legislation will be a great convenience to Series E Savings Bond holders who desire to retain their investments in E bonds. Under its authority, the owners of…
March 25, 1949
I HAVE been deeply impressed by the "Work and Victory" manifestations in Greece, demonstrating the united will of the Greek people to labor and fight for the preservation of their ancient democratic heritage and of their independence, so…
April 2, 1948
[ Released April 2, 1948. Dated March 25, 1948 ]
ON BEHALF of the American people I wish to extend cordial congratulations to Your Majesty and to the Greek people on this anniversary of Greek independence.
Today Greece is struggling not…
March 7, 1952
To the Congress of the United States:
I am transmitting herewith the first Report on the Mutual Security Program, covering operations in furtherance of the purposes of the Mutual Security Act of 1951 (P.L. 165, 82d Congress).…
March 14, 1946
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] I want to make it strong and emphatic, as there still seem to be rumors about that there has been a rift between the Secretary of State and myself, that there is no such rift, never has been one, and never will be, I…
March 25, 1947
ON THIS, the first anniversary of the first meeting in the United States of an organ of the United Nations, I send you greetings on behalf of the Government and people of the United States. The American people are deeply grateful that…
March 28, 1951
WELL, I am glad to greet you again. I think you have been here a couple of times before. I was hoping that the sun would shine on this proposed rose garden--which it will be a little later on in the season--but it seems to have gone back…
June 16, 1945
CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF THE
MEDAL FOR MERIT
TO
MR. RUDOLPH FORSTER (DECEASED)
HE SERVED his Government faithfully, intelligently, and modestly for a period which spanned
almost a third of our national existence, assisting…
March 13, 1950
To the Congress of the United States:
I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 7 of 1950, prepared in accordance with the Reorganization Act of 1949 and providing for reorganizations in the Interstate Commerce Commission.…
March 13, 1952
I AM TAKING this opportunity to send you a special message about our Federal power policy, because of the extraordinary importance of that subject to you. Right now, there is a terrific fight raging over our Federal power policy--and the…
March 26, 1947
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] Well gentlemen, this is the hundredth press conference that I have held. I have nothing special to tell you because all the announcements have all been made, but I thought you might have a question or two you might…
June 18, 1945
MOTORISTS throughout the Nation will get an increase in their gasoline rations this week. This
means more traffic on our streets and highways and more danger of accidents with loss of life and
destruction of property.
Upon every man and…
April 2, 1948
[ Released April 2, 1948. Dated April 1, 1948 ]
Sir:
Under section 5(f) of the Reorganization Act of 1945 the authority of the President to submit reorganization plans for the consideration of the Congress terminated on…