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Harry S. Truman's address to joint session of Congress (April 19, 1948)

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Truman Administration
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President Harry S. Truman
Presidential addresses
Recent addresses:
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Joe Biden's address to joint session of Congress (April 28, 2021)

Historical addresses:

On April 19, 1948, President Harry S. Truman delivered an address to a joint session of Congress at 12:00 p.m. EST. Truman used the address to celebrate the 50th anniversary of independence for Cuba, commemorating U.S. relations with the country.[1]

The president can deliver a joint address before both the House of Representatives and Senate upon invitation from both chambers. This is typically done by presidents in order to speak on specific topics.

Joint sessions require both chambers to pass concurrent resolutions to conduct formal business. [2]

Truman’s address to a joint session of Congress

Transcript

The following text is a transcript of Truman's address, as prepared for delivery:

It is eminently fitting that we should assemble here today to pay solemn tribute to the heroic champions of human freedom who brought about the liberation of Cuba. The commemoration of half a century of Cuban independence recalls the valor of the Cuban patriots and American soldiers and sailors who gave liberally of their strength and their blood that Cuba might be free. From that chapter in man's age-old struggle for freedom, we can draw inspiration for the hard tasks that confront us in our time.

The struggle for Cuban independence, like every other effort of its kind, was fraught with hardship and disappointment. But the unconquerable determination of the Cuban people to win freedom overcame all obstacles. From the first, the fight for liberation by Cuban patriots evoked the sympathy of the people of the United States. Those in quest of independence have always had the support of the people of this Nation.

Americans watched with admiration the beginning of the final struggle for independence led by Jose Marti and his valiant compatriots, Gomez, Maceo, and Garcia. Our people made increasingly plain their desire to assist the Cuban patriots. The sinking of the United States battleship Maine in Havana harbor on February 15, 1898, crystallized the growing sentiment in this country for joining forces with the Cuban people in their fight for self-government.

The Congress passed a Joint Resolution expressing in clear terms the conviction of the men and women of the United States that the people of the Island of Cuba should be free and independent. It also expressed our determination that once the Cuban people were liberated, they, and they alone, should govern the Island of Cuba. It is the passage of this Joint Resolution, 50 years ago today, which we are commemorating in this ceremony.

This Joint Resolution, the foundation upon which our relations with the Cuban Republic are based, brought the military and naval forces of the United States into the conflict at the side of the Cuban patriots. The names of Shafter, Roosevelt, Hobson, and many others were joined with those of Gomez, Maceo, and Garcia.

For 4 months, as Americans fought side by side with their Cuban allies, the opposing forces were driven back. On August Spain signed the Protocol of Peace and agreed to give up Cuba and withdraw her forces. The dream of Jose Marti became at last a glorious reality.

The sympathetic interest of the United States in the welfare of the Cuban people did not end with the victory. We assisted the Cubans in repairing the ravages of war and overcoming problems of health and sanitation. The comradeship of war was succeeded by the notable peacetime collaboration of General Wood, General Gorgas, Doctor Walter Reed, Doctor Agramonte, and other men of science and public life.

From these sound beginnings, relations between the Republic of Cuba and the United States have continued through the years on a mutually satisfactory basis. I believe that few nations of differing languages and cultures have drawn so closely together during the last 50 years, freely and without duress, as have Cuba and the United States.

Many other factors have contributed to the understanding and affection between our two Nations. Travel between the two countries is extensive and our peoples have come to know each other, and each other's customs and cultures, at firsthand. Trade between the two Nations has increased steadily in volume and in importance. The experience of Cuba and the United States refutes the false assumption that neighboring peoples of different races and cultures are naturally antagonistic. On the contrary, the history of Cuban-American relations demonstrates that when people of different countries enjoy opportunities for frequent personal contacts and a free exchange of information and knowledge, their ties of friendship grow stronger through the years.

Although our two countries are separated by only 90 miles of water, and vary greatly in size and strength, they collaborate harmoniously on a basis of equal sovereignty and independence of action. This relationship provides living proof of the ability of nations great and small to live in peace and to enjoy the full benefits of commercial and cultural exchange. The same harmonious relationship can prevail among all nations, provided they possess a genuine desire for peace and a firm resolve to respect the freedom and the rights of others! This is a truth the whole world should take to heart, particularly at this time.[3]

—President Harry S. Truman (D), April 19, 1948 [1]

Designated survivor

For some speeches, a member of the president's Cabinet is chosen to stay in an undisclosed location outside of Washington, D.C. to assume the presidency in case of an attack on Congress, the president, and other high-ranking officials.

While designated survivors have been chosen since at least the 1960s, the federal government did not begin revealing the identity of the designated survivor to the public until 1984.[4]

Background

The following table provides a list of annual and other presidential addresses delivered to joint sessions of Congress between 1790 and 2025. It does not include inaugurations. Click the link in the Occasion or topic column to read more about each address. The information was compiled from the U.S. House of Representatives Office of the Historian.[5]

  • President Woodrow Wilson (D), whose administration overlapped with World War I, delivered the most addresses: 23.
  • President Franklin D. Roosevelt (D) followed with 19 addresses, which included a joint speech with the ambassador of France in 1934 and an address read before Congress on his behalf in 1945. World War II took place during his administration.
  • President Harry S. Truman had the third-most addresses at 16. His administration covered the end of World War II and the beginning of the Cold War.
  • Among presidents who served between 1981 and 2025, Presidents Ronald Reagan (R) and Barack Obama (D) delivered the most addresses with 11 and 10, respectively.
Presidential addresses to joint sessions of Congress
Date Session of Congress Occasion or topic President and other speaking dignitaries
March 4, 2025 119th Congress Address President Donald J. Trump
March 7, 2024 118th Congress State of the Union Address President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
February 7, 2023 118th Congress State of the Union Address President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
March 1, 2022 117th Congress State of the Union Address President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
April 28, 2021 117th Congress Address President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Feb. 4, 2020 116th Congress State of the Union Address President Donald J. Trump
Feb. 5, 2019 116th Congress State of the Union Address President Donald J. Trump
Jan. 30, 2018 115th Congress State of the Union Address President Donald J. Trump
Feb. 28, 2017 115th Congress Address President Donald J. Trump
Jan. 12, 2016 114th Congress State of the Union Address President Barack H. Obama
Jan. 20, 2015 114th Congress State of the Union Address President Barack H. Obama
Jan. 28, 2014 113th Congress State of the Union Address President Barack H. Obama
Feb. 12, 2013 113th Congress State of the Union Address President Barack H. Obama
Jan. 24, 2012 112th Congress State of the Union Address President Barack H. Obama
Sept. 8, 2011 112th Congress Address on American Jobs Act President Barack H. Obama
Jan. 25, 2011 112th Congress State of the Union Address President Barack H. Obama
Jan. 27, 2010 111th Congress State of the Union Address President Barack H. Obama
Sept. 8, 2009 111th Congress Address on Health Care Reform President Barack H. Obama
Feb. 24, 2009 111th Congress Address President Barack H. Obama
Jan. 28, 2008 110th Congress State of the Union Address President George W. Bush
Jan. 23, 2007 110th Congress State of the Union Address President George W. Bush
Jan. 31, 2006 109th Congress State of the Union Address President George W. Bush
Feb. 2, 2005 109th Congress State of the Union Address President George W. Bush
Jan. 20, 2004 108th Congress State of the Union Address President George W. Bush.
Jan. 28, 2003 108th Congress State of the Union Address President George W. Bush.
Jan. 29, 2002 107th Congress State of the Union Address President George W. Bush.
Sept. 20, 2001 107th Congress Address on the War on Terrorism President George W. Bush.
Feb. 27, 2001 107th Congress Budget Message President George W. Bush.
Jan. 27, 2000 106th Congress State of the Union Address President William J. Clinton.
Jan. 19, 1999 106th Congress State of the Union Address President William J. Clinton.
Jan. 27, 1998 105th Congress State of the Union Address President William J. Clinton.
Feb. 4, 1997 105th Congress State of the Union Address President William J. Clinton.
Jan. 23, 1996 104th Congress State of the Union Address President William J. Clinton.
Jan. 24, 1995 104th Congress State of the Union Address President William J. Clinton.
Jan. 25, 1994 103rd Congress State of the Union Address President William J. Clinton.
Sept. 22, 1993 103rd Congress Address on Health Care Reform President William J. Clinton.
Feb. 17, 1993 103rd Congress Economic Address President William J. Clinton.
Jan. 28, 1992 102nd Congress State of the Union Address President George Bush.
Mar. 6, 1991 102nd Congress Conclusion of Persian Gulf War President George Bush.
Jan. 29, 1991 102nd Congress State of the Union Address President George Bush.
Sept. 11, 1990 101st Congress Invasion of Kuwait by Iraq President George Bush.
Jan. 31, 1990 101st Congress State of the Union Address President George Bush.
Feb. 9, 1989 101st Congress Address on Building a Better America President George Bush.
Jan. 25, 1988 100th Congress State of the Union Address President Ronald Reagan.
Jan. 27, 1987 100th Congress State of the Union Address President Ronald Reagan.
Feb. 4, 1986 99th Congress State of the Union Address President Ronald Reagan.
Nov. 21, 1985 99th Congress Address on Geneva Summit President Ronald Reagan.
Feb. 6, 1985 99th Congress State of the Union Address President Ronald Reagan.
Jan. 25, 1984 98th Congress State of the Union Address President Ronald Reagan.
Apr. 27, 1983 98th Congress Address on Central America President Ronald Reagan.
Jan. 25, 1983 98th Congress State of the Union Address President Ronald Reagan.
Jan. 26, 1982 97th Congress State of the Union Address President Ronald Reagan.
Apr. 28, 1981 97th Congress Address on Economic Recovery--inflation President Ronald Reagan.
Feb. 18, 1981 97th Congress Address on Economic Recovery President Ronald Reagan.
Jan. 23, 1980 96th Congress State of the Union Address President Jimmy Carter.
June 18, 1979 96th Congress Address on Salt II agreements President Jimmy Carter.
Jan. 23, 1979 96th Congress State of the Union Address President Jimmy Carter.
Sept. 18, 1978 95th Congress Address on Middle East Peace agreements President Jimmy Carter; Joint session attended by Anwar El Sadat, President of Egypt, and by Menachem Begin, Prime Minister of Israel.
Jan. 19, 1978 95th Congress State of the Union Address President Jimmy Carter.
Apr. 20, 1977 95th Congress Address on Energy President Jimmy Carter.
Jan. 12, 1977 95th Congress State of the Union Address President Gerald R. Ford.
Jan. 19, 1976 94th Congress State of the Union Address President Gerald R. Ford.
Apr. 10, 1975 94th Congress Address on State of the World President Gerald R. Ford.
Jan. 15, 1975 94th Congress State of the Union Address President Gerald R. Ford.
Oct. 8, 1974 93rd Congress Address on the Economy President Gerald R. Ford.
Aug. 12, 1974 93rd Congress Assumption of office President Gerald R. Ford.
Jan. 30 1974 93rd Congress State of the Union Address President Richard M. Nixon.
June 1, 1972 92nd Congress Address on Europe trip President Richard M. Nixon.
Jan. 20, 1972 92nd Congress State of the Union Address President Richard M. Nixon.
Sept. 9, 1971 92nd Congress Address on Economic policy President Richard M. Nixon.
Jan. 22, 1971 92nd Congress State of the Union Address President Richard M. Nixon.
Jan. 22, 1970 91st Congress State of the Union Address President Richard M. Nixon.
Jan. 14, 1969 91st Congress State of the Union Address President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Jan. 17, 1968 90th Congress State of the Union Address President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Jan. 10, 1967 90th Congress State of the Union Address President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Jan. 12, 1966 89th Congress State of the Union Address President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Mar. 15, 1965 89th Congress Voting rights President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Jan. 4, 1965 89th Congress State of the Union Address President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Jan. 8, 1964 88th Congress State of the Union Address President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Nov. 27, 1963 88th Congress Assumption of office President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Jan. 14, 1963 88th Congress State of the Union Address President John F. Kennedy.
Jan. 11, 1962 87th Congress State of the Union Address President John F. Kennedy.
May 25, 1961 87th Congress Urgent national needs: foreign aid, defense, civil defense, and outer space President John F. Kennedy.
Jan. 30, 1961 87th Congress State of the Union Address President John F. Kennedy.
Jan. 7, 1960 86th Congress State of the Union Address President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Jan. 9, 1959 86th Congress State of the Union Address President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Jan. 9, 1958 85th Congress State of the Union Address President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Jan. 10, 1957 85th Congress State of the Union Address President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Jan. 5, 1957 85th Congress Address on the Middle East President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Jan. 6, 1955 84th Congress State of the Union Address President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Jan. 7, 1954 83rd Congress State of the Union Address President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Feb. 2, 1953 83rd Congress State of the Union Address President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
June 10, 1952 82nd Congress Address on Steel Strike President Harry S. Truman.
Jan. 9, 1952 82nd Congress State of the Union Address President Harry S. Truman.
Jan. 8, 1951 82nd Congress State of the Union Address President Harry S. Truman.
Jan. 4, 1950 81st Congress State of the Union Address President Harry S. Truman.
Jan. 5, 1949 81st Congress State of the Union Address President Harry S. Truman.
July 27, 1948 80th Congress Address on inflation, housing, and civil rights President Harry S. Truman.
Apr. 19, 1948 80th Congress Address on 50th anniversary, liberation of Cuba President Harry S. Truman; Guillermo Belt, Ambassador of Cuba.
Mar. 17, 1948 80th Congress National security and conditions in Europe President Harry S. Truman.
Jan. 7, 1948 80th Congress State of the Union Address President Harry S. Truman.
Nov. 17, 1947 80th Congress Address on Aid to Europe President Harry S. Truman.
Mar. 12, 1947 80th Congress Address on Greek-Turkish aid policy President Harry S. Truman.
Jan. 6, 1947 80th Congress State of the Union Address President Harry S. Truman.
May 25, 1946 79th Congress Address on Railroad Strike President Harry S. Truman.
Oct. 23, 1945 79th Congress Address on Universal Military Training President Harry S. Truman.
May 21, 1945 79th Congress Address on Bestowal of Congressional Medal of Honor to Tech. Sgt. Jake William Lindsey General George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army; President Harry S. Truman.
Apr. 16, 1945 79th Congress Address on Assumption of Office and War President Harry S. Truman.
Mar. 1, 1945 79th Congress Address on Yalta Conference President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 6, 1945 79th Congress Annual Message President Roosevelt was not present. His message was read before the Joint Session of Congress.
Jan. 11, 1944 78th Congress Annual Message President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 7, 1943 78th Congress Annual Message President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 6, 1942 77th Congress Annual Message President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Dec. 8, 1941 77th Congress Address on the "Day of Infamy" President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 6, 1941 77th Congress Annual Message President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
May 16, 1940 76th Congress Address on National Defense President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 3, 1940 76th Congress Annual Message President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Sept. 21, 1939 76th Congress Address on Neutrality President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Mar. 4, 1939 76th Congress Address on Sesquicentennial of the 1st Congress President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 4, 1939 76th Congress Annual Message President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 3, 1938 75th Congress Annual Message President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 6, 1937 75th Congress Annual Message President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 3, 1936 74th Congress Annual Message President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
May 22, 1935 74th Congress Address on Budget Bill Veto President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 4, 1935 74th Congress Annual Message President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
May 20, 1934 73rd Congress Address on 100th anniversary of the death of the Marquis de Lafayette Andre de Laboulaye, Ambassador of France; President Franklin Delano Roosevelt; ceremony attended by Count de Chambrun, great-grandson of Lafayette.
Jan. 3, 1934 73rd Congress Annual Message President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Feb. 22, 1932 72nd Congress Address on bicentennial of George Washington's birth President Herbert Hoover.
Dec. 6, 1932 72nd Congress Annual Message President Herbert Hoover.
Dec. 8, 1931 72nd Congress Annual Message President Herbert Hoover.
Dec. 2, 1930 71st Congress Annual Message President Herbert Hoover.
Dec. 3, 1929 71st Congress Annual Message President Herbert Hoover.
Dec. 4, 1928 70th Congress Annual Message President Calvin Coolidge.
Feb. 22, 1927 70th Congress Address on upcoming George Washington birthday bicentennial President Calvin Coolidge.
Dec. 6, 1927 70th Congress Annual Message President Calvin Coolidge.
Dec. 6, 1926 69th Congress Annual Message President Calvin Coolidge.
Dec. 8, 1925 69th Congress Annual Message President Calvin Coolidge.
Dec. 6, 1924 68th Congress Annual Message President Calvin Coolidge.
Dec. 3, 1923 68th Congress Annual Message President Calvin Coolidge.
Feb. 7, 1923 67th Congress Address on British debt due to the United States President Warren G. Harding.
Dec. 8, 1922 67th Congress Annual Message President Warren G. Harding.
Nov. 21, 1922 67th Congress Address on promotion of the American Merchant Marine President Warren G. Harding.
Aug. 18, 1922 67th Congress Address on coal and railroad strikes President Warren G. Harding.
Feb. 28, 1922 67th Congress Address on maintenance of the Merchant Marine President Warren G. Harding.
Dec. 6, 1921 67th Congress Annual Message President Warren G. Harding.
Apr. 12, 1921 67th Congress Federal problem message President Warren G. Harding.
Aug. 8, 1919 66th Congress Cost of living message President Woodrow Wilson.
Dec. 2, 1918 65th Congress Annual Message President Woodrow Wilson.
Nov. 11, 1918 65th Congress Terms of armistice signed by Germany President Woodrow Wilson.
May 27, 1918 65th Congress War finance message President Woodrow Wilson.
Feb. 11, 1918 65th Congress Peace message President Woodrow Wilson.
Jan. 8, 1918 65th Congress Program for world's peace President Woodrow Wilson.
Jan. 4, 1918 65th Congress Federal operation of transportation systems President Woodrow Wilson.
Dec. 4, 1917 65th Congress Annual Message/War with Austria-Hungary President Woodrow Wilson.
Apr. 2, 1917 65th Congress War with Germany President Woodrow Wilson.
Feb. 26, 1917 64th Congress Arming of merchant ships President Woodrow Wilson.
Feb. 3, 1917 64th Congress Severing diplomatic relations with Germany President Woodrow Wilson.
Dec. 5, 1916 64th Congress Annual Message President Woodrow Wilson.
Aug. 29, 1916 64th Congress Railroad message (labor-management dispute) President Woodrow Wilson.
Dec. 7, 1915 64th Congress Annual Message President Woodrow Wilson.
Dec. 8, 1914 63rd Congress Annual Message President Woodrow Wilson.
Sept. 4, 1914 63rd Congress War tax message President Woodrow Wilson.
Apr. 20, 1914 63rd Congress Mexico message President Woodrow Wilson.
Mar. 5, 1914 63rd Congress Panama Canal tolls President Woodrow Wilson.
Jan. 20, 1914 63rd Congress Trusts message President Woodrow Wilson.
Dec. 2, 1913 63rd Congress Annual Message President Woodrow Wilson.
Aug. 27, 1913 63rd Congress Mexican affairs message President Woodrow Wilson.
June 23, 1913 63rd Congress Currency and bank reform message President Woodrow Wilson.
Apr. 8, 1913 63rd Congress Tariff message President Woodrow Wilson.
Nov. 22, 1800 6th Congress Annual Message President John Adams.
Dec. 3, 1799 6th Congress Annual Message President John Adams.
Dec. 8, 1798 5th Congress Annual Message President John Adams.
Nov. 23, 1797 5th Congress Annual Message President John Adams.
May 16, 1797 5th Congress Relations with France President John Adams.
Dec. 7, 1796 4th Congress Annual Message President George Washington.
Dec. 8, 1795 4th Congress Annual Message President George Washington.
Nov. 19, 1794 3rd Congress Annual Message President George Washington.
Dec. 3, 1793 3rd Congress Annual Message President George Washington.
Nov. 6, 1792 2nd Congress Annual Message President George Washington.
Oct. 25, 1791 2nd Congress Annual Message President George Washington.
Dec. 8, 1790 1st Congress Annual Message President George Washington.
Jan. 8, 1790 1st Congress Annual Message President George Washington.

Footnotes