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 30, 1952
My dear Charlie:
I regret very much the circumstances which make you feel it is necessary to submit your resignation as Director of Defense Mobilization. I consider that it was an act of sincere patriotism on your part to…
April 8, 1948
THE PRESIDENT. I have no special announcements to make to you today. We have been making these announcements as they came along.
So questions are in order.
[1.] Q. Mr. President, could you say which paintings you liked in…
March 13, 1950
To the Congress of the United States:
I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 16 of 1950, prepared in accordance with the Reorganization Act of 1949. The plan transfers to the Federal Security Agency the functions of the…
March 30, 1952
THANK YOU very, very much for this cordial reception. You have always given me a cordial reception. Even when the pollsters said I didn't have a friend in the United States, I still had the Democrats with me, and I hope they will always…
April 7, 1949
I AM confident that I speak not only for myself but for the people of the United States in expressing appreciation for your message on this first anniversary of the signing of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1948.
The record of the…
April 1, 1946
[ Released April 1, 1946. Dated March 30, 1946 ]
My dear Mr. Secretary:
In order that the Government of the United States may readily fulfill the obligations and responsibilities which it assumed when it became a member of…
April 12, 1947
My fellow countrymen:
One year ago today I stood in silence beside a newly built tomb in the rose garden at Hyde Park. The tomb is a simple memorial of pure white marble. The inscription on it tells only that the man whose…
July 3, 1945
Dear Harry:
I am sorry that I cannot persuade you to remain in government any longer. I should have liked it not only because of the
great service which you could continue to render to the nation, but also because it would…
April 5, 1951
THE ADOPTION by the Senate of Senate Resolution 99 is further evidence that the country stands firm in its support of the North Atlantic Treaty. It reaffirms the basic principle of our foreign policy--that the security of the United…
March 13, 1950
To the Congress of the United States:
I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 17 of 1950, prepared in accordance with the Reorganization Act of 1949. The plan transfers the functions of the General Services Administration…
April 15, 1947
To the Congress of the United States:
I transmit herewith a proposal for legislation to authorize supervision of the exportation of arms, ammunition, implements of war and related commodities, and the importation of arms,…
April 7, 1949
THE PRESIDENT. Well, the press made its own announcements this morning, so I have no special announcements to make at this time, but I will try to answer questions.
[1.] Q. Mr. President, will Secretary Royall remain in his present post…
July 4, 1945
AGAIN THIS YEAR we celebrate July 4 as the anniversary of the day one hundred and sixty-nine years ago on which we
declared our independence as a sovereign people.
In this year of 1945, we have pride in the combined might of this nation…
April 9, 1948
I HAVE carefully considered the report of the Board of Inquiry on the labor dispute in the meatpacking industry. The report, of course, does not contain recommendations. It is, however, a thorough, careful, and objective analysis of the…
March 31, 1952
TODAY, March 31st, 1952, the Institute of Inter-American Affairs celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Its 10 years of life have been 10 years of international cooperation in improving the living standards of the people of this hemisphere.…
April 5, 1951
THERE IS now pending before the Congress a request for funds to build a worldwide network of radio broadcasting facilities. These facilities are needed to help us win the battle for the minds and hearts of men. They would help us hold our…
April 3, 1946
THE PRESIDENT. [1.] I am sending down the name of William J. Kennedy of Cleveland, Ohio, to be the Chairman of the Railroad Retirement Board--the one that Murray Latimer left.
[2.] I want to call your attention this morning to Mr. Snyder…
April 3, 1946
JOHN W. SNYDER'S REPORT on reconversion, which I have read with great interest, should be required reading for every thinking American. I hope, particularly, that it will be studied carefully by every skeptic who thinks that this country…
March 13, 1950
To the Congress of the United States:
I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 18 of 1950, prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1949. The plan transfers to the Administrator of General…
April 8, 1949
THE PRESIDENT'S Committee on Religion and Welfare in the Armed Forces has submitted its first report, entitled "Community Responsibility to Our Peacetime Servicemen and Women." This report confirms my belief that there is an immediate and…
Special Message to the Senate Transmitting Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation with Italy
April 14, 1948
To the Senate of the United States:
With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to ratification, I transmit herewith a treaty of friendship, commerce, and navigation between the United States of America and…
April 6, 1951
[Released April 6, 1951. Dated April 5, 1951]
Dear Mr. Harriman:
I have been watching with the deepest interest the progress of the 1951 Red Cross Fund Campaign. I want to congratulate the millions of Americans who have…
April 2, 1952
Your Majesty, and Your Royal Highness:
It is a very great pleasure indeed for me, as the head of the Government of the United States, to welcome you to this country.
I hope you will have a most pleasant visit, and that you…
July 4, 1945
IT IS with deep sorrow that I have learned of the death today of the Right Honorable John Curtin, Prime Minister of Australia, who has brought to the public
service of his country not only great ability and integrity but also a deep sense…
April 15, 1947
CITATION TO ACCOMPANY THE AWARD OF THE MEDAL FOR MERIT TO CORDELL HULL
CORDELL HULL, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the United States as the Secretary of State from September 9,…