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 13, 1950
To the Congress of the United States:
I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 14 of 1950, prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1949. For the purpose of coordinating the administration of…
April 7, 1948
To the Congress of the United States:
I transmit herewith for the consideration of the Congress an Agreement between the United States and the United Nations concerning a loan of $65,000,000, without interest, to be made by…
April 4, 1949
MAY I offer a toast to the Atlantic Treaty and its success. I think we have really passed a milestone in history today, and I think your children and your grandchildren will tell you that, in the days to come.
NOTE: The President…
March 27, 1946
Ladies and gentlemen:
I think I have said on several different occasions that this, in my opinion, is the most pleasant and the most honorable job that a President of the United States has to do, to pin the medals on the…
April 3, 1951
ON THE second birthday of the North Atlantic Treaty it is appropriate that we take stock of our progress.
The most encouraging fact which stands out today is that Europe is stronger and in a better position to defend itself than it was a…
March 13, 1950
To the Congress of the United States:
I am transmitting today Reorganization Plans Nos. 15, 16, and 17 of 1950, prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1949. The three plans transfer various…
July 2, 1945
Mr. President--it has been a long time since I have said "Mr. President" in this Chamber, and my
how I miss it!--and Members of the Senate of the United States:
It is good of you to let me come back among you. You know, I am…
April 8, 1948
To the Congress of the United States:
In recent months the United States has been considering a number of measures to further the achievement of the primary objective of our foreign policy--the establishment throughout the…
April 10, 1947
SEVENTY-FIVE years ago the pioneer settlers of Nebraska dedicated a day to the planting of trees. That was the first Arbor Day. Since then the observance of Arbor Day has spread to every State in the Union and to many countries.
Arbor…
March 29, 1952
Mr. Chairman, Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chairman of the Democratic Committee, distinguished guests and fellow Democrats:
I am very happy to be here tonight. This makes seven Jefferson-Jackson dinners that I have…
January 8, 1946
CITATION FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL
(Oak Leaf Cluster)
GENERAL OF THE ARMY Henry H. Arnold, United States Army. For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in the performance of duties of great responsibility as Chief…
January 10, 1952
THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated.
[1.] I have appointed a Committee on Government Contract Compliance, with Dwight Palmer as Chairman; James B. Casey; Dowdal H. Davis; Irving Engel--
Q. Pardon me, Mr. President, would you…
January 13, 1948
I AM making public today the report of the President's Air Policy Commission.
This report represents the conclusions of five distinguished citizens after 5 months of hearings and deliberation covering the broad field of aviation as it…
January 6, 1950
IN RESPONSE to your appeal, I am glad to assure you that the United States will continue to give the utmost support to the efforts of the United Nations and the international Red Cross organizations to bring about the return to Greece…
January 8, 1949
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] This Budget is set out in more detail, and the introduction is the most comprehensive one that we have put out since I have been President. I hope every one of you have carefully read the first 71 pages in the large…
January 10, 1947
[Released January 10, 1947. Dated January 3, 1947]
To the Congress of the United States:
I am transmitting the Budget for the fiscal year 1948. It includes recommendations for the entire Federal program.…
January 11, 1951
THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated.
I have a couple of announcements I want to make to you before we start.
[1.] The Economic Message will go up to the Congress tomorrow, and it will be ready for your use some time late this…
April 18, 1945
IN VOTING its approval of the water treaty with Mexico, the Senate today gave unmistakable
evidence that it stands firmly in support of the established policy of our Government to deal with
our Good Neighbors on the basis of simple…
July 3, 1945
To the heads of Executive Departments and Agencies:
The Federal Government has been maintaining a work schedule of a six-day, 48-hour week for both the departmental and
field service. I believe that the time has now come when…
April 5, 1951
THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated.
[1.] I am very happy this morning to greet the visitors from Latin America. We are glad to have them as guests this morning. I appreciate their coming here.
I have a couple of releases which…
April 6, 1949
MY EDUCATION has been sadly neglected. When I was in politics in Jackson County, Mo., I engineered a Congressional District for myself, the Fourth District of Missouri, which is now well represented in the House of Representatives. I…
March 28, 1946
THE PRESIDENT. [1] I want to announce the appointments in the permanent grade of General of the Army, under this new bill which just passed the Congress March 23, of General Marshall, General Douglas MacArthur, and General Eisenhower,…
April 10, 1947
THE PRESIDENT. Gentlemen, I have no--and ladies--[ laughter ]--I have no special announcements to make to you this morning. If you have any questions you want to ask, I will try to answer them.
[1.] Q. Mr. President, can you tell us…
March 13, 1950
To the Congress of the United States:
I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 15 of 1950, prepared in accordance with the Reorganization Act of 1949. The plan transfers the functions of the General Services Administration…
April 8, 1948
To the Senate of the United States:
In accordance with the obligations of the Government of the United States of America as a member of the International Labor Organization, I transmit herewith authentic texts of three…