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).
May 21, 1952
Mr. Chairman, General Gray, distinguished guests, and ladies and gentlemen:
I am very happy to be here to participate in the meeting of the National Advisory Committee of the Veterans Administration Voluntary Services. I…
May 16, 1950
THANK YOU very much, Governor. Cumberland is noted for its hospitality, as is all Maryland. Cumberland, as you know, has always been a customary stop with the Truman family when they travel back and forth to Washington. So we are familiar…
June 14, 1946
To the Senate:
I return herewith, without my approval, S. 1805, the purpose of which is to provide for the promotion of personnel of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard who were prisoners of war, without regard for the…
July 2, 1947
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 the control and administration of the Headquarters of the…
September 18, 1945
THE SURRENDER of the Japanese forces in Seoul, ancient Korean capital, heralds the liberation of a freedom-loving and heroic people. Despite their long and cruel subjection under the warlords of Japan, the Koreans have kept alive…
June 21, 1949
THE SECRETARY of State has given me daily reports, and now a final report, on the recently concluded session of the Council of Foreign Ministers in Paris.
Genuine progress was made at this session toward the conclusion of the treaty with…
May 22, 1952
THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated.
[1.] I am sorry that I am 6 minutes late, but my clock over on the mantel that Admiral Nimitz 1 gave me is running slow these days. That is what made me late. I am going to have it adjusted. […
June 14, 1946
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] Practically all the Cabinet officers, and heads of all the agencies, and the advisory committee set up by the Congress, have stated that the office being vacated by Mr. Snyder ought to be continued. And for that reason…
May 17, 1950
I ACCEPT with great pleasure the first copy of Volume One of "The Papers of Thomas Jefferson." On behalf of the people of the United States, I congratulate Princeton University and the Princeton University Press on undertaking to edit and…
June 15, 1948
[1.] WINSLOW, ARIZONA (11 a.m.)
It certainly is a pleasure. Thank you, Governor, very much. I have been going around the country telling the people what I think they should be interested in, and giving them my viewpoint on…
June 22, 1951
Mr. President, Senora Plaza, ladies and gentlemen:
I can't tell you how very much I appreciate the kind remarks which you have just made. Your visit here has been most helpful to the cause of understanding democracy in the…
June 16, 1948
[1.] DODGE CITY, KANSAS (7:30 a.m.) .
It looks as if Dodge City really wanted to see what their President looked like. I used to come over here to Dodge City on road matters for the National Old Trails Association. I was the…
September 18, 1945
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] I am reorganizing the Labor Department, putting all the functions of the War Labor Board, the War Manpower Commission, and the USES into the Labor Department, and transferring their functions to the Secretary of…
May 23, 1952
To the Congress of the United States:
I am transmitting herewith the annual report of the Civil Service Commission for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1951.
Our national defense effort has necessitated a rapid, temporary…
May 18, 1950
THE PRESIDENT. Please be seated.
I understand that these photographers are going to be here about 3 minutes and then they will leave. They just want to see what this place looks like.
[1.] I have got a statement I would like…
June 23, 1949
To the Congress of the United States:
I have today approved H.R. 4583, relating to telephone and telegraph service and clerk hire for Members of the House of Representatives. This Act provides an additional allowance of $3,…
June 15, 1946
My dear___________:
One of the most important problems confronting our country today is the establishment of a definite military policy.
In the solution of this problem, I consider it vital that we have a unified armed force…
June 23, 1951
[Released June 23, 1951. Dated June 22, 1951]
My dear Mr.____________:
I have received the attached report from the National Advisory Board on Mobilization Policy, which I am forwarding for the information of the Congress.…
July 3, 1947
To the Congress of the United States:
I wish to recommend to the Congress action enabling this Government to approve the Trusteeship Agreement for the Territory of the Pacific Islands which was approved unanimously by the…
June 17, 1948
[1.] WARRENSBURG, MISSOURI (8:35 a.m.)
It certainly is a pleasure to me to see all of you this morning. I don't think I have seen as many people with whom I am personally acquainted, since I have been the President, out here…
July 4, 1947
Governor Tuck, Mr. Houston, distinguished guests, fellow countrymen:
I certainly appreciate that warm welcome extended to me by the Governor of Virginia most highly, and I appreciate the courtesies which have been extended to…
May 23, 1952
To the Congress of the United States:
I have today approved H.R. 4387, "To increase the annual income limitations governing the payment of pension to certain veterans and their dependents," and H.R. 4394, "To provide certain…
May 19, 1950
THANK YOU very much, Mr. Secretary. It has been a wonderful evening. I want to compliment the Secretary of Defense on that address he has just delivered. It covered the situation very adequately. But really, I wish you could really have…
September 19, 1945
EVERY AMERICAN has an interest in when our soldiers and sailors will return to civilian life. With many of us, this is a personal
interest. We all want to feel sure that no one is going to be held in the service a day longer than is…
June 25, 1951
Governor Browning, General Carroll, Mr. Evins, Senator Kefauver, distinguished Members of the House of Representatives, honorable mayors, Mrs. Arnold, ladies and gentlemen:
Congressman Evins, you forgot to introduce my mayor…