Harry S. Truman's address to joint session of Congress (April 19, 1948)
Truman Administration Presidential 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 | ||||
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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
- ↑ 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
- ↑ History, Art & Archives of the United States House of Representatives, "Joint Meetings, Joint Sessions, & Inaugurations," accessed Feb. 28, 2022
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ United States Senate, "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address," accessed Feb. 23, 2022.
- ↑ United States House of Representatives, "Joint Meetings, Joint Sessions, & Inaugurations," accessed June 14, 2021