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

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President Harry S. Truman
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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 2026. 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 2026, Presidents Ronald Reagan (R) and Barack Obama (D) delivered the most addresses with 11 and 10, respectively.
Presidential addresses to joint sessions of Congress
DateSession of CongressOccasion or topicPresident and other speaking dignitaries
February 24, 2026119th CongressState of the Union AddressPresident Donald J. Trump
March 4, 2025119th CongressAddressPresident Donald J. Trump
March 7, 2024118th CongressState of the Union AddressPresident Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
February 7, 2023118th CongressState of the Union AddressPresident Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
March 1, 2022117th CongressState of the Union AddressPresident Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
April 28, 2021117th CongressAddressPresident Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Feb. 4, 2020116th CongressState of the Union AddressPresident Donald J. Trump
Feb. 5, 2019116th CongressState of the Union AddressPresident Donald J. Trump
Jan. 30, 2018115th CongressState of the Union AddressPresident Donald J. Trump
Feb. 28, 2017115th Congress AddressPresident Donald J. Trump
Jan. 12, 2016114th CongressState of the Union AddressPresident Barack H. Obama
Jan. 20, 2015114th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Barack H. Obama
Jan. 28, 2014113th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Barack H. Obama
Feb. 12, 2013113th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Barack H. Obama
Jan. 24, 2012112th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Barack H. Obama
Sept. 8, 2011112th Congress Address on American Jobs ActPresident Barack H. Obama
Jan. 25, 2011112th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Barack H. Obama
Jan. 27, 2010111th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Barack H. Obama
Sept. 8, 2009111th Congress Address on Health Care ReformPresident Barack H. Obama
Feb. 24, 2009111th Congress AddressPresident Barack H. Obama
Jan. 28, 2008110th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident George W. Bush
Jan. 23, 2007110th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident George W. Bush
Jan. 31, 2006109th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident George W. Bush
Feb. 2, 2005109th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident George W. Bush
Jan. 20, 2004108th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident George W. Bush.
Jan. 28, 2003108th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident George W. Bush.
Jan. 29, 2002107th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident George W. Bush.
Sept. 20, 2001107th Congress Address on the War on TerrorismPresident George W. Bush.
Feb. 27, 2001107th Congress Budget MessagePresident George W. Bush.
Jan. 27, 2000106th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident William J. Clinton.
Jan. 19, 1999106th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident William J. Clinton.
Jan. 27, 1998105th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident William J. Clinton.
Feb. 4, 1997105th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident William J. Clinton.
Jan. 23, 1996104th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident William J. Clinton.
Jan. 24, 1995104th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident William J. Clinton.
Jan. 25, 1994103rd Congress State of the Union AddressPresident William J. Clinton.
Sept. 22, 1993103rd Congress Address on Health Care ReformPresident William J. Clinton.
Feb. 17, 1993103rd Congress Economic AddressPresident William J. Clinton.
Jan. 28, 1992102nd Congress State of the Union AddressPresident George Bush.
Mar. 6, 1991102nd Congress Conclusion of Persian Gulf WarPresident George Bush.
Jan. 29, 1991102nd Congress State of the Union AddressPresident George Bush.
Sept. 11, 1990101st Congress Invasion of Kuwait by IraqPresident George Bush.
Jan. 31, 1990101st Congress State of the Union AddressPresident George Bush.
Feb. 9, 1989101st Congress Address on Building a Better AmericaPresident George Bush.
Jan. 25, 1988100th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Ronald Reagan.
Jan. 27, 1987100th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Ronald Reagan.
Feb. 4, 198699th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Ronald Reagan.
Nov. 21, 198599th Congress Address on Geneva SummitPresident Ronald Reagan.
Feb. 6, 198599th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Ronald Reagan.
Jan. 25, 198498th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Ronald Reagan.
Apr. 27, 198398th CongressAddress on Central AmericaPresident Ronald Reagan.
Jan. 25, 198398th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Ronald Reagan.
Jan. 26, 198297th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Ronald Reagan.
Apr. 28, 198197th Congress Address on Economic Recovery--inflationPresident Ronald Reagan.
Feb. 18, 198197th Congress Address on Economic RecoveryPresident Ronald Reagan.
Jan. 23, 198096th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Jimmy Carter.
June 18, 197996th Congress Address on Salt II agreementsPresident Jimmy Carter.
Jan. 23, 197996th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Jimmy Carter.
Sept. 18, 197895th Congress Address on Middle East Peace agreementsPresident Jimmy Carter; Joint session attended by Anwar El Sadat, President of Egypt, and by Menachem Begin, Prime Minister of Israel.
Jan. 19, 197895th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Jimmy Carter.
Apr. 20, 197795th Congress Address on EnergyPresident Jimmy Carter.
Jan. 12, 197795th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Gerald R. Ford.
Jan. 19, 197694th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Gerald R. Ford.
Apr. 10, 197594th Congress Address on State of the WorldPresident Gerald R. Ford.
Jan. 15, 197594th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Gerald R. Ford.
Oct. 8, 197493rd Congress Address on the EconomyPresident Gerald R. Ford.
Aug. 12, 197493rd Congress Assumption of officePresident Gerald R. Ford.
Jan. 30 197493rd Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Richard M. Nixon.
June 1, 197292nd Congress Address on Europe tripPresident Richard M. Nixon.
Jan. 20, 197292nd Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Richard M. Nixon.
Sept. 9, 197192nd Congress Address on Economic policyPresident Richard M. Nixon.
Jan. 22, 197192nd Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Richard M. Nixon.
Jan. 22, 197091st Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Richard M. Nixon.
Jan. 14, 196991st Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Lyndon B. Johnson.
Jan. 17, 196890th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Lyndon B. Johnson.
Jan. 10, 196790th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Lyndon B. Johnson.
Jan. 12, 196689th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Lyndon B. Johnson.
Mar. 15, 196589th Congress Voting rightsPresident Lyndon B. Johnson.
Jan. 4, 196589th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Lyndon B. Johnson.
Jan. 8, 196488th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Lyndon B. Johnson.
Nov. 27, 196388th Congress Assumption of officePresident Lyndon B. Johnson.
Jan. 14, 196388th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident John F. Kennedy.
Jan. 11, 196287th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident John F. Kennedy.
May 25, 196187th Congress Urgent national needs: foreign aid, defense, civil defense, and outer spacePresident John F. Kennedy.
Jan. 30, 196187th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident John F. Kennedy.
Jan. 7, 196086th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Jan. 9, 195986th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Jan. 9, 195885th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Jan. 10, 195785th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Jan. 5, 195785th Congress Address on the Middle EastPresident Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Jan. 6, 195584th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Jan. 7, 195483rd Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Feb. 2, 195383rd Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Dwight D. Eisenhower.
June 10, 195282nd Congress Address on Steel StrikePresident Harry S. Truman.
Jan. 9, 195282nd Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Harry S. Truman.
Jan. 8, 195182nd Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Harry S. Truman.
Jan. 4, 195081st Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Harry S. Truman.
Jan. 5, 194981st Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Harry S. Truman.
July 27, 194880th Congress Address on inflation, housing, and civil rightsPresident Harry S. Truman.
Apr. 19, 194880th Congress Address on 50th anniversary, liberation of CubaPresident Harry S. Truman; Guillermo Belt, Ambassador of Cuba.
Mar. 17, 194880th Congress National security and conditions in EuropePresident Harry S. Truman.
Jan. 7, 194880th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Harry S. Truman.
Nov. 17, 194780th Congress Address on Aid to EuropePresident Harry S. Truman.
Mar. 12, 194780th Congress Address on Greek-Turkish aid policyPresident Harry S. Truman.
Jan. 6, 194780th Congress State of the Union AddressPresident Harry S. Truman.
May 25, 194679th Congress Address on Railroad StrikePresident Harry S. Truman.
Oct. 23, 194579th Congress Address on Universal Military TrainingPresident Harry S. Truman.
May 21, 194579th Congress Address on Bestowal of Congressional Medal of Honor to Tech. Sgt. Jake William LindseyGeneral George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army; President Harry S. Truman.
Apr. 16, 194579th Congress Address on Assumption of Office and WarPresident Harry S. Truman.
Mar. 1, 194579th Congress Address on Yalta ConferencePresident Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 6, 194579th Congress Annual MessagePresident Roosevelt was not present. His message was read before the Joint Session of Congress.
Jan. 11, 194478th Congress Annual MessagePresident Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 7, 194378th Congress Annual MessagePresident Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 6, 194277th Congress Annual MessagePresident Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Dec. 8, 194177th Congress Address on the "Day of Infamy"President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 6, 194177th Congress Annual MessagePresident Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
May 16, 194076th Congress Address on National DefensePresident Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 3, 194076th Congress Annual MessagePresident Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Sept. 21, 193976th Congress Address on NeutralityPresident Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Mar. 4, 193976th Congress Address on Sesquicentennial of the 1st CongressPresident Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 4, 193976th Congress Annual MessagePresident Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 3, 193875th CongressAnnual MessagePresident Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 6, 193775th Congress Annual MessagePresident Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 3, 193674th Congress Annual MessagePresident Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
May 22, 193574th Congress Address on Budget Bill VetoPresident Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 4, 193574th Congress Annual MessagePresident Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
May 20, 193473rd Congress Address on 100th anniversary of the death of the Marquis de LafayetteAndre de Laboulaye, Ambassador of France; President Franklin Delano Roosevelt; ceremony attended by Count de Chambrun, great-grandson of Lafayette.
Jan. 3, 193473rd Congress Annual MessagePresident Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Feb. 22, 193272nd Congress Address on bicentennial of George Washington's birthPresident Herbert Hoover.
Dec. 6, 193272nd Congress Annual MessagePresident Herbert Hoover.
Dec. 8, 193172nd Congress Annual MessagePresident Herbert Hoover.
Dec. 2, 193071st Congress Annual MessagePresident Herbert Hoover.
Dec. 3, 192971st Congress Annual MessagePresident Herbert Hoover.
Dec. 4, 192870th Congress Annual MessagePresident Calvin Coolidge.
Feb. 22, 192770th Congress Address on upcoming George Washington birthday bicentennialPresident Calvin Coolidge.
Dec. 6, 192770th Congress Annual MessagePresident Calvin Coolidge.
Dec. 6, 192669th Congress Annual MessagePresident Calvin Coolidge.
Dec. 8, 192569th Congress Annual MessagePresident Calvin Coolidge.
Dec. 6, 192468th Congress Annual MessagePresident Calvin Coolidge.
Dec. 3, 192368th Congress Annual MessagePresident Calvin Coolidge.
Feb. 7, 192367th Congress Address on British debt due to the United StatesPresident Warren G. Harding.
Dec. 8, 192267th Congress Annual MessagePresident Warren G. Harding.
Nov. 21, 192267th Congress Address on promotion of the American Merchant MarinePresident Warren G. Harding.
Aug. 18, 192267th Congress Address on coal and railroad strikesPresident Warren G. Harding.
Feb. 28, 192267th Congress Address on maintenance of the Merchant MarinePresident Warren G. Harding.
Dec. 6, 192167th Congress Annual MessagePresident Warren G. Harding.
Apr. 12, 192167th CongressFederal problem messagePresident Warren G. Harding.
Aug. 8, 191966th CongressCost of living messagePresident Woodrow Wilson.
Dec. 2, 191865th CongressAnnual MessagePresident Woodrow Wilson.
Nov. 11, 191865th CongressTerms of armistice signed by GermanyPresident Woodrow Wilson.
May 27, 191865th CongressWar finance messagePresident Woodrow Wilson.
Feb. 11, 191865th CongressPeace messagePresident Woodrow Wilson.
Jan. 8, 191865th CongressProgram for world's peacePresident Woodrow Wilson.
Jan. 4, 191865th CongressFederal operation of transportation systemsPresident Woodrow Wilson.
Dec. 4, 191765th CongressAnnual Message/War with Austria-HungaryPresident Woodrow Wilson.
Apr. 2, 191765th CongressWar with GermanyPresident Woodrow Wilson.
Feb. 26, 191764th CongressArming of merchant shipsPresident Woodrow Wilson.
Feb. 3, 191764th CongressSevering diplomatic relations with GermanyPresident Woodrow Wilson.
Dec. 5, 191664th CongressAnnual MessagePresident Woodrow Wilson.
Aug. 29, 191664th CongressRailroad message (labor-management dispute)President Woodrow Wilson.
Dec. 7, 191564th CongressAnnual MessagePresident Woodrow Wilson.
Dec. 8, 191463rd CongressAnnual MessagePresident Woodrow Wilson.
Sept. 4, 191463rd CongressWar tax messagePresident Woodrow Wilson.
Apr. 20, 191463rd CongressMexico messagePresident Woodrow Wilson.
Mar. 5, 191463rd CongressPanama Canal tollsPresident Woodrow Wilson.
Jan. 20, 191463rd CongressTrusts messagePresident Woodrow Wilson.
Dec. 2, 191363rd CongressAnnual MessagePresident Woodrow Wilson.
Aug. 27, 191363rd CongressMexican affairs messagePresident Woodrow Wilson.
June 23, 191363rd CongressCurrency and bank reform messagePresident Woodrow Wilson.
Apr. 8, 191363rd CongressTariff messagePresident Woodrow Wilson.
Nov. 22, 18006th CongressAnnual MessagePresident John Adams.
Dec. 3, 17996th CongressAnnual MessagePresident John Adams.
Dec. 8, 17985th CongressAnnual MessagePresident John Adams.
Nov. 23, 17975th CongressAnnual MessagePresident John Adams.
May 16, 17975th CongressRelations with FrancePresident John Adams.
Dec. 7, 17964th CongressAnnual MessagePresident George Washington.
Dec. 8, 17954th CongressAnnual MessagePresident George Washington.
Nov. 19, 17943rd CongressAnnual MessagePresident George Washington.
Dec. 3, 17933rd CongressAnnual MessagePresident George Washington.
Nov. 6, 17922nd CongressAnnual MessagePresident George Washington.
Oct. 25, 17912nd CongressAnnual MessagePresident George Washington.
Dec. 8, 17901st CongressAnnual MessagePresident George Washington.
Jan. 8, 17901st CongressAnnual MessagePresident George Washington.

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 The American Presidency Project, “Address Before a Joint Session of the Congress in Observance of the 50th Anniversary of Cuban Independence,“ April 19, 1948
  2. ↑ History, Art & Archives of the United States House of Representatives, "Joint Meetings, Joint Sessions, & Inaugurations," accessed Feb. 28, 2022
  3. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  4. ↑ United States Senate, "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address," accessed Feb. 23, 2022.
  5. ↑ United States House of Representatives, "Joint Meetings, Joint Sessions, & Inaugurations," accessed June 14, 2021
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