Overview
The List of State of the Union addresses is a compiled record of the annual speeches delivered by the President of the United States to a joint session of Congress, in accordance with Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution. The list documents each address chronologically, indicating the date, venue, president, and, where applicable, the corresponding Congress and session number.
Historical Scope
- First address: George Washington’s first annual message to Congress on January 8, 1790, delivered in New York City, then the capital.
- Continuity: Except for brief interruptions (e.g., the absence of a formal address in 1814‑1815 due to the War of 1812 and the 1902 address given as a written message), every presidential term since Washington’s has included a State of the Union communication.
- Modern format: Since 1913, the address has typically been delivered orally in the chamber of the House of Representatives. Prior to that, presidents often submitted written messages.
Typical Entry Elements
| Year | President | Date of Address | Location (House Chamber, etc.) | Congress (e.g., 115th) | Notable Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Joe Biden | February 7 | House Chamber, Capitol | 118th | Economic recovery, foreign policy, domestic legislation |
| 2022 | Joe Biden | March 1 | House Chamber, Capitol | 117th | Inflation, infrastructure, COVID‑19 response |
| … | … | … | … | … | … |
Organization of the List
- Chronological tables – divided by presidential administrations, often sub‑sectioned by decade.
- Supplementary notes – indicating anomalies such as written messages, joint sessions held outside the Capitol, or addresses delivered by acting presidents.
- References – citations to the official congressional record, the American Presidency Project, and the National Archives.
Notable Features
- Longest address: President William McKinley’s 1901 address (approximately 9,000 words).
- Shortest address: President James Madison’s 1815 written message (approximately 600 words).
- First televised address: Harry S. Truman’s 1947 address, marking the medium’s emergence.
- First address delivered by a president not in office: Vice President John C. Calhoun delivered an address in 1849 on behalf of President Zachary Taylor’s written message.
Usage
The compiled list serves researchers, educators, and the public in:
- Tracking policy priorities over time.
- Analyzing rhetorical trends and language evolution.
- Correlating legislative outcomes with presidential proposals.
Related Resources
- State of the Union (United States) – an article describing the constitutional basis, history, and protocol.
- Presidential speeches – a broader collection encompassing inaugural addresses, national security briefings, and other major remarks.
- American Presidency Project – a digital archive providing full texts and audio/video recordings.
References
- United States Constitution, Article II, Section 3.
- Congressional Record, various volumes.
- The American Presidency Project, “State of the Union Addresses”.
- National Archives & Records Administration, “Presidential Documents”.
