For centuries, presidents have addressed a joint session of Congress, outlining the state of the nation and proposing legislative agendas. Each presidential speech is unique, but there are some recurring themes. Students can use the primary sources in this collection to investigate those themes and discover persuasive strategies that will help them to write speeches of their own.
Article II, Section 3, of the Constitution states that the president “shall from time to time communicate to Congress information of a general nature concerning the State of the Union.” George Washington set the precedent by fulfilling this duty in person and his successors sent written copies to Congress until 1913 when Woodrow Wilson resumed the tradition of delivering an annual address in person.
In 1947 Harry Truman televised his speech and the format was transformed by television, allowing a wide audience to hear the address. Lyndon Johnson recognized the power of television when he moved the speech from midday to prime time in 1965. His decision greatly increased the immediate audience and sparked instantaneous TV commentary.
In addition to hearing the president’s voice, today’s audiences can also see the opposition response by members of Congress in a televised rebuttal. This has become a part of the event, ensuring that the minority voice is heard in this most public of settings. The speech and the rebuttal have a special resonance as we grapple with the splintered nature of our nation. The polarization that has come with the election of Donald Trump will hopefully serve as a reminder that our democracy is based on open debate and free expression.
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