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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).

April 4, 1946 ON FEBRUARY TWENTIETH, at the time of signing the Surplus Appropriation Rescission Act, I referred to a provision excluding Philippine Army veterans from various benefits provided by law in respect of military service, and stated that the…
April 14, 1948 [ Released April 14, 1948. Dated April 9, 1948 ] My dear Mr. Ambassador: I have read with pleasure your letter of March twentieth, concerning the proposal of this Government, together with the Governments of the United…
April 2, 1952 WE ARE honored tonight by the visit of Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands, and His Royal Highness the Prince of the Netherlands. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the fact that we have with us what I like to refer to as the…
April 6, 1951 My dear Mr. Johnston: On March 1, 1951 a collective bargaining agreement was signed between the carriers represented by the Eastern, Western, and Southeastern Carrier's Conference Committees and the non-operating employees…
July 4, 1945 THE 7,300 local committees of the United National Clothing Collection have rendered a service to world peace. By meeting and exceeding their goal of 150,000,000 pounds of clothing, the American people have accomplished the task assigned to…
March 13, 1950 To the Congress of the United States: I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 19 of 1950, prepared in accordance with the Reorganization Act of 1949. This reorganization plan carries out a specific recommendation of the…
April 8, 1949 Mr. Chairmen--and distinguished Democrats: I do appreciate most highly what you have done in this campaign for the sinews of war for the Democratic Party. I am not used to figures like that, personally or as a Democrat. As…
April 17, 1947 WELL, this looks just like a press conference! Remember last year? We had a meeting over in the East Room. I had hoped that today would be a bright and sunny one, for we were expecting to have it out here in the garden. Due to that fact…
March 13, 1950 To the Congress of the United States: I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 20 of 1950, prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1949. This plan transfers from the Secretary of State to…
April 14, 1948 Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith for the consideration of the Congress a supplemental estimate of appropriation for the fiscal year 1948 in the amount of $4,245,000,000 for expenses of the European recovery program…
April 3, 1952 THE PRESIDENT [reading]. [1.] A current issue of a weekly news magazine contains an article which states that certain officials have voiced criticism regarding the ability of the United Nations truce team at Panmunjon. I wish to make it…
July 5, 1945 THE PRESIDENT today had the opportunity of a friendly conversation with Mr. Sofianopoulos, Foreign Minister of Greece, who arrived yesterday in Washington after the conclusion of the San Francisco Conference where he headed the Greek…
April 12, 1949 To the Senate of the United States: I transmit herewith for the consideration of the Senate a copy of the North Atlantic Treaty signed at Washington on April 4, 1949, together with a report of the Secretary of State. This…
April 19, 1947 REVISED ESTIMATES now indicate that there will be a surplus of about $1.25 billion in the fiscal year 1947. This is a sharp improvement over the estimated deficit of $2.3 billion shown for fiscal 1947 in the Budget Document last January…
April 7, 1951 I HAVE today received the report of the Commission on Migratory Labor which I appointed in June 1950. I asked this Commission to investigate the whole range of problems associated with the use of migratory labor to meet agricultural labor…
April 6, 1946 [The Official Reporter's notes state that the conference was in progress when he arrived.] THE PRESIDENT .... I shall go into that in some detail, if you will. [1.] Q. Mr. President, do you think, if Britain passes this law…
March 13, 1950 To the Congress of the United States: I transmit herewith Reorganization Plan No. 21 of 1950, prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Reorganization Act of 1949. This plan effects a basic reorganization of the…
July 5, 1945 THE PRESIDENT. [1.] I am sending down Edward C. Moran, Jr., former Congressman from Maine, as Second Assistant Secretary of Labor, at the request of the Secretary of Labor. I am sending down Jesse M. Donaldson to be First Assistant…
April 12, 1949 Mr. President, Mr. Majority Leader, Mr. Minority Leader, Members of this distinguished legislative body--I think the legislative body which l have been closest to in my life: I appreciate most highly your kindness and…
April 21, 1947 Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen: I appreciate most highly your cordial welcome. I appreciate the toast very much, and I thank you. It is a very great pleasure for me to be here today, and I am going to make…
April 7, 1951 THANK YOU very much. I can't begin to express to you my appreciation for your courtesy and kindness in honoring me tonight at this wonderful dinner. I don't think I have ever seen a Statler Hotel dining room set up in a more beautiful and…
April 3, 1952 My dear Mr. Secretary: On March 28 you sought my guidance regarding the response which the Department of State should make to the requests of members of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for detailed information on…
April 6, 1946 [Broadcast nationally at 3 p.m.] Mr. Mayor, distinguished guests, fellow Americans : On this Army Day, freedom-loving men all over the world rise with us to salute our fighting men and devoted women of the Army. Our American…
April 14, 1948 [ Broadcast from the White House at 10:30 p.m. ] My fellow Americans: I am speaking to you tonight about something that each of us--as individuals--can do to contribute to the winning of the peace. That is the purchase of…
April 23, 1947 [Released April 23, 1947. Dated April 22, 1947] To the Senate: I am withholding my approval of the Resolution (S.J. Res. 97) "Limiting the application of provisions of Federal law to counsel employed under S. Res. 46…