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 24, 1952
To the Congress of the United States:
One of the gravest problems arising from the present world crisis is created by the overpopulation in parts of Western Europe, aggravated by the flight and expulsion of people from the…
April 3, 1948
IN THE death of Maurice C. Latta, a beloved figure passes from the Washington scene. His service, covering almost 50 years, embraced 9 administrations. It was distinguished not only by its great length but by the rare qualities which this…
March 13, 1950
To the Congress of the United States:
I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 11 of 1950, prepared in accordance with the Reorganization Act of 1949 and providing for reorganizations in the Federal Communications…
March 21, 1946
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] I just have two announcements to make this morning. I am going to reappoint J. Russell Young as Commissioner of the District of Columbia; and Rosel Hyde to the Republican vacancy on the Federal Communications…
June 26, 1945
Mr. Chairman and Delegates to the United Nations Conference on International Organization:
I deeply regret that the press of circumstances when this Conference opened made it
impossible for me to be here to greet you in…
March 24, 1952
[Released March 24, 1952. Dated March 22, 1952]
My dear Mr.:
In compliance with Section 101(a)(1) of the Mutual Security Act of 1951, I hereby notify you that I have today determined that it will contribute to the defense of…
April 3, 1948
My dear Mr. Attorney General:
On March 23, 1948, by virtue of the authority vested in me by section 206 of the Labor Management Relations Act, 1947, I issued Executive Order No. 9939, creating a Board of Inquiry to inquire…
March 13, 1950
To the Congress of the United States:
I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 12 of 1950, prepared in accordance with the Reorganization Act of 1949 and providing for reorganizations in the National Labor Relations Board…
April 1, 1947
I AM GRIEVED by the news of the death of George II, King of the Hellenes, who had so recently returned to his country to share with the Greek people the heavy tasks of reconstruction following the ravages of enemy occupation. It is a…
March 31, 1949
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] I have no special announcements for you this morning. I made the special announcement last night so you would have plenty of time to mull into it.1 If you have any questions, I will try to answer them…
April 2, 1951
ON THIS third anniversary, it gives me great pleasure to congratulate you who have carried out so well the aims of the European recovery program.
When General Marshall first made his proposal, the shadow of economic collapse, with its…
April 3, 1947
THE PRESIDENT. Gentlemen, I have no particular announcements to make--just having a press conference for your edification. If you want to ask me questions, I will try to answer them if I can.
[1.] Q. Mr. President, in the case of the…
April 2, 1951
Your Excellencies the Foreign Ministers of our sister Republics, and Ambassadors who represent you here, Mr. Vice President, Mr. Chief Justice, Mr. Speaker:
The is a most happy occasion for me. I hope that you have enjoyed…
March 13, 1950
To the Congress of the United States:
I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 13 of 1950, prepared in accordance with the Reorganization Act of 1949 and providing for reorganizations in the Civil Aeronautics Board. My…
April 5, 1948
To the House of Representatives:
I am returning herewith, without my approval, H.R. 5052, a bill "To exclude certain vendors of newspapers or magazines from certain provisions of the Social Security Act and the Internal…
April 2, 1949
TODAY I have signed an enrolled bill which provides for an Under Secretary of Defense. This improvement in the Security Act meets with my hearty approval, since it was one of the proposals for strengthening the National Military…
March 27, 1952
My dear :
Pursuant to section 502(c) of the Mutual Security Act of 1951 (P.L. 165, 82d Cong., 1st sess., approved October 10, 1951), I hereby inform the Committee on foreign Relations of the Senate (Committee on foreign…
March 23, 1946
Mr. Chairman, distinguished guests, fellow Democrats everywhere:
Throughout America this evening, we of the Democratic Party are gathered to reaffirm our faith in the ideals of democracy. We are assembled in some three…
June 27, 1945
THE PRESIDENT. This statement I want to make to you, you will all receive mimeographed
copies of it, so don't worry about copying it down.
[1.] This is dated today, at Independence, and it is addressed to the Honorable Edward R.…
April 5, 1947
Mr. Speaker--to me you will always be Mr. Speaker--fellow Democrats:
Our meeting together this evening carries forward an old party custom. In this annual tribute to the memory of Thomas Jefferson, we, who are members of the…
April 3, 1951
Dr. Docherty, ladies and gentlemen:
Speaking of that foundation, Doctor, it's too bad you didn't have to listen to the laying of the foundation of the White House. It's on the same sort of soil as your church is located. If…
March 28, 1952
To the Congress of the United States:
About 2,500,000 men and women in the armed forces are of voting age at the present time. Many of those in uniform are serving overseas, or in parts of the country distant from their homes…
June 28, 1945
Mr. President, members of the Faculty, and Board of Trustees of the University of Kansas City:
I can't tell you how very much I appreciate this first honorary degree that you have
conferred. I appreciate it more than I can…
March 25, 1946
My dear Governor Lehman:
When President Roosevelt asked you to come to Washington in November, 1942, to establish the Office of Foreign Relief and Rehabilitation Operations it had become apparent that relief for the victims…
April 4, 1949
Your Excellencies, and fellow citizens:
On this historic occasion, I am happy to welcome the foreign ministers of the countries which, together with the United
States, form the North Atlantic community of nations.
The…