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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).

July 4, 1951 [Broadcast from the Washington Monument grounds at 9:30 p.m.] Mr. Chairman, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen: This is a very special occasion. Here in Washington tonight, up in Philadelphia, and throughout our whole…
May 26, 1952 Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Ambassador, distinguished members of our High Court, Members of the Congress and the Cabinet, and ladies and gentlemen: It is a very, very great honor that has just been conferred upon me. I appreciate…
July 16, 1947 To the Congress of the United States: The major opportunity of our generation to increase the wealth of the Nation lies in the development of our great river systems. I urged in the State of the Union message on January 6,…
June 27, 1946 THE IMPRESSIVE RECORD made by the United States in shipping food grains abroad for famine relief is shown in a report I have just received from John W. Snyder, former Director of War Mobilization and Reconversion and now Secretary of the…
June 28, 1948 I HAVE signed today H.R. 6801, the Foreign Aid Appropriation Act, 1949, providing funds for the first year of the European recovery program; for aid to Greece, Turkey, and China; for meeting our occupation responsibilities in Europe and…
May 23, 1950 I AM exceedingly sorry that the White House reception room at the present time is not big enough, and I am also sorry that the Rose Garden got wet this afternoon--and we did not have access to it anyway; you can see why over there. They…
June 30, 1949 THE PRESIDENT. I have no special announcements to make, so fire away with your questions when you are ready. [1.] Q. Mr. President, Mr. Baruch said yesterday that he thinks the overall plan for industrial mobilization in the event of war…
September 23, 1945 [ Released September 23, 1945. Dated August 21, 1945 ] Dear Henry: Again the need for used clothing for war sufferers all over the world is urgent. It is imperative that we act at once to provide clothing for the relief…
May 24, 1950 IT IS a pleasure to have you here this morning. I am most appreciative of the cooperation and the open minds with which you farmers of Ohio have approached the farm problem. It is your problem, as well as a national problem. This…
July 5, 1951 THE PRESIDENT, Please be seated. [1.] I understand that we have with us this morning some visiting editors from some of the NATO countries--France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Great Britain, Norway, and Luxembourg. We…
May 28, 1952 I AM in complete sympathy with the people of Romania, and with all the other free countries, who have been placed behind the Iron Curtain. The Kremlin bombards the world with cries of peace--peace. And the Kremlin brings on war--war, at…
June 28, 1946 [ Released June 28, 1946. Dated June 27, 1946] Dear Mr. Appleby: I have today signed an executive order terminating effective June 30, 1946, the Director of Liquidation created pursuant to Executive Order No. 9674 of January…
September 24, 1945 [ Released September 24, 1945. Dated September 6, 1945 ] 1. THE AUTHORITY of the Emperor and the Japanese Government to rule the State is subordinate to you as Supreme Commander for the Allied powers. You will exercise your…
July 2, 1949 [Released July 2, 1949. Dated July 1, 1949] To all Executive Agencies: By virtue of the authority vested in me by section 205 (a) of the Act entitled "An Act to simplify the procurement, utilization and disposal of Government…
June 29, 1948 I HAVE today signed H.R. 2744, Title III of which provides for retirement benefits for individuals who remain active in the various programs for the Reserve components of our Armed Forces for at least 20 years. Reserve personnel of the…
July 17, 1947 THE PRESIDENT. I have a couple of announcements to make to you. [1.] I am going to appoint the Honorable James Forrestal, the Secretary of the Navy; the Honorable Arthur S. Flemming, Civil Service Commissioner; the Honorable…
June 30, 1948 I HAVE today signed H.R. 5904, an act which extends the life of the Virgin Islands Company 1 year. I am keenly disappointed that the Congress did not see fit to enact long-range legislation for the economic development of the Virgin…
July 5, 1949 To the United States Senate: I return herewith, without my approval, S. 41 "An Act for the relief of the City of Reno, Nevada." This bill would authorize the payment to the City of Reno of $1,620, representing the amount…
June 28, 1946 [Released June 28, 1946. Dated June 27, 1946] Dear Mr. Mitchell: I have today signed an executive order terminating effective June 30, 1946, the Director of Liquidation established pursuant to Executive Order No. 9674 of…
July 5, 1951 IT IS a privilege to perform this ceremony. Due to conditions over which I have had no control, it has been my duty to award more Medals of Honor than all the rest of the Presidents put together. It is a proud moment when we can hear…
May 25, 1950 THE PRESIDENT. [1.] At 11 o'clock there will be a release--it is a simultaneous release in Britain, France, and Washington. It will be available at the door as you go out, together with a statement by the President. It is all mimeographed…
July 17, 1947 My dear Mr.____________: I am glad to know that you will serve as a member of the Commission on Organization of the Executive Branch of the Government. The Act establishing this Commission provides for a cooperative approach…
September 25, 1945 The Speaker of the House of Representatives: Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith for the consideration of the Congress (1) proposed rescissions of portions of appropriations for the Military Establishment…
May 29, 1952 To the Senate of the United States: I return herewith, without my approval, Senate Joint Resolution 20, entitled "Joint Resolution To confirm and establish the titles of the States to lands beneath navigable waters within State…
July 18, 1947 To the House of Representatives: I return herewith, without my approval, H.R. 3950, entitled "An Act to reduce individual income tax payments." The provisions of this bill are identical with those of H.R. I…