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).
October 30, 1945
[ Broadcast from the White House at 10 p.m. ]
Fellow citizens:
On August 18, 1945, four days after the surrender of Japan, I issued Executive Order 9599 which laid down the guiding policies of your Government during the…
August 28, 1948
By the President of the United States of America
A PROCLAMATION
To the People of the United States:
The Nation has lost one of its most preeminent elder sages. Charles Evans Hughes, who died at Osterville, Massachusetts,…
June 24, 1952
Dear Mr. Chairman:
I have been advised that a centerless grinding machine was shipped from Italy to Rumania after the effective date of the Mutual Defense Assistance Control Act of 1951 (the Battle Act). This grinding machine…
August 6, 1951
To the House of Representatives:
I return herewith, without my approval, H.R. 3549, 82nd Congress, a bill "To modify eligibility requirements for payment of pension to certain widows of veterans of the Civil War, Indian Wars…
June 29, 1950
[1.] His Excellency Otilio Ulate:
I greatly appreciate your telegram of June 28. The support of all free men in these difficult hours is an affirmation of the high purposes of the United Nations and gives encouragement to…
June 24, 1952
IT IS a great pleasure to perform this service.
As you know, one of the most pleasant things I do in this Rose Garden is to award medals for bravery and service.
These medals are for bravery and service in the highest degree…
August 20, 1947
CONTINUING the practice of former years, I submit at this time my annual midyear review of the Budget. Since the 1948 Budget has aroused unusual public interest, I am presenting this year a detailed analysis of how the changes in it…
August 12, 1949
My dear Mr. Vice President:
I am informed that the Senate will soon take action on Reorganization Plans No. 1 and No. 2 of 1949.
I earnestly hope that this action will be favorable. These plans are of great importance in…
September 2, 1948
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] It just now occurred to me, when my friend here mentioned it, that this happens to be V-J Day.1 Just 3 years ago today the Japanese surrender was signed aboard the battleship Missouri. I had thought by this time we…
October 31, 1945
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] I thought maybe--I didn't have much to tell you this morning, I said it all last night--but I thought maybe you might be interested in the Hooper rating of the radio situation last night. It was 43.8 percent--32…
July 26, 1946
My dear Mr. Stack:
I have given careful consideration to your thoughtful letter of July 11 with respect to the Peace Conference.
I am wholeheartedly in sympathy with your observations concerning the grave…
August 18, 1949
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] Gentlemen, before we start, I have a brief statement I want to make to you.
[Reading] "At the outset, I do not intend to answer any questions pertaining to the testimony that has been given before Senator Hoey's…
June 30, 1950
To the House of Representatives:
I return herewith, without my approval, H.R. 1243, a bill "To amend the Hatch Act."
This bill would make two major revisions in the Act which imposes restrictions on the political activities…
November 1, 1945
THE PROBLEM of what to do with Germany and Japan is one of the greatest challenges in the whole effort to achieve lasting peace.
The program for reparations from Germany which was developed by Ambassador Pauley and adopted at the…
July 27, 1946
Dear Mr. Stelle:
The suggestions contained in your letter of July 11th for a conference on the subject of veterans' rehabilitation have been given serious consideration. I am grateful to you for your expressions in the matter…
August 6, 1951
To the House of Representatives:
I am returning herewith, without my approval, H.R. 3193, 82nd Congress, "An Act to establish a rate of pension for aid and attendance under Part 3 of Veterans Regulation No. 1(A), as amended…
September 4, 1948
THE FOURTH Labor Day since the war affords us an opportunity to pay tribute to the achievements of American labor in the tremendous task of reconverting our economy to a peacetime basis.
The skill and energy of American workers have…
June 25, 1952
To the House of Representatives:
I return herewith, without my approval, H.R. 5678, the proposed Immigration and Nationality Act.
In outlining my objections to this bill, I want to make it clear that it contains certain…
August 21, 1947
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] I just have one announcement to make, and that is that Kenneth C. Royall will be the Secretary for the Army, and the Honorable John L. Sullivan, the present Under Secretary of the Navy, will be Secretary for the Navy…
August 6, 1951
[Released August 6, 1951. Dated August 3, 1951]
Dear Phil:
I read with a lot of interest your letter of July twenty-third regarding the Missouri River basin. Your organization is to be congratulated for raising special…
June 25, 1952
IT IS a pleasure again to receive this group, and I hope that they are enjoying their visit, and getting a lot of information about the Government of the United States while they are here.
You are in the White House Rose Garden, where…
August 27, 1947
THE CHAIRMAN of the President's Scientific Research Board, whom I directed last October to study the scientific research and development of this country, has made his first report to me.
Mr. Steelman's report, entitled "Science and…
June 30, 1950
To the House of Representatives:
I return herewith, without my approval, H.R. 3436, an Act "To amend the War Contractors Relief Act, as amended."
In taking this action, I wish to make it clear to the Congress that I am not…
July 29, 1946
I HAVE TODAY nominated Mr. Edwin G. Nourse to be a member of the Council of Economic Advisers, provided for by the Employment Act of 1946, and purpose to designate him as chairman.
I consider that this act constitutes a distinct and…
September 6, 1948
[1.] GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN (Rally, 9:10 a.m., E.D.T..)
My, what a wonderful crowd at 8:15 in the morning. I wonder what it would have been at 8:15 in the evening! I don't see how it could have been any greater. I am…