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President Truman’s 1950 State of the Union Address

Photograph of President Harry S. Truman reading from a paper at the rostrum in the full House Chamber/tiles/collection/5/5629.xml
Photograph reverse with maker’s information and text reading, “Truman-Listeners. As President Reported on State of Union, Washington, D.C. . . President Harry S. Truman (left, foreground) is shown delivering his State of the Union message before a joint session of Congress today. Cabinet members are seated in the front row (left to right, beginning at left aisle: Labor Secretary Tobin, Agriculture Secretary Brannan, Interior Secretary Chapman, Postmaster General Donaldson, Attorney General McGrath, Defense Secretary Johnson, Treasury Secretary Snyder and Secretary of State Acheson). At right, first row, are Senators McKellar (D.-Tenn.), George (D.-Ga.), Connally (D.-Tex.), Green (D.-R.I.), and Tydings (D.-Md.). Senators occupy the first two rows behind the Cabinet members, and behind them are members of the House.”/tiles/collection/5/5630.xml
Photograph of President Harry S. Truman reading from a paper at the rostrum in the full House Chamber
Photograph reverse with maker’s information and text reading, “Truman-Listeners. As President Reported on State of Union, Washington, D.C. . . President Harry S. Truman (left, foreground) is shown delivering his State of the Union message before a joint session of Congress today. Cabinet members are seated in the front row (left to right, beginning at left aisle: Labor Secretary Tobin, Agriculture Secretary Brannan, Interior Secretary Chapman, Postmaster General Donaldson, Attorney General McGrath, Defense Secretary Johnson, Treasury Secretary Snyder and Secretary of State Acheson). At right, first row, are Senators McKellar (D.-Tenn.), George (D.-Ga.), Connally (D.-Tex.), Green (D.-R.I.), and Tydings (D.-Md.). Senators occupy the first two rows behind the Cabinet members, and behind them are members of the House.”
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Date

1950-01-04

Maker

International News Photos

Dimensions

7 1/8 x 9 in. (18.1 x 22.9 cm)

Accession Number

2007.066.001

Credit Line

Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives

Object Details

Amidst applause and jeers that fell along party lines, President Harry Truman delivered a speech that addressed the need to increase taxes and cut spending. The Washington Post reported that “every seat in the gallery was taken and the doors strained at the hinges” for a glimpse at the newly redecorated House Chamber, which featured blue and white damask wall panels and floodlights.

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