State Of The Union: What's The Story Behind The President's Speech?

Washington, DC is abuzz as it prepares for what is famously known as the grandest evening in American politics. Ironically, to some, it's also considered the dullest night of the year on television. We're talking about none other than the State of the Union address, an annual speech delivered by the US president before a joint session of Congress.

This year's State of the Union, scheduled to be delivered by President Joe Biden today (7 March), holds particular significance as the nation gears up for the presidential elections slated for November. Before delving into the event, let's take a closer look at the rich history of the State of the Union address.

Photo Credit: PTI

State of the Union: What is it?

Article II, Section 3 of the US Constitution stipulates that the president is obligated to periodically provide Congress with updates on the condition of the nation and propose measures deemed necessary and beneficial. While the Constitution doesn't specify the frequency of these updates, President George Washington set the tradition by delivering an annual report, thus establishing the precedent for what would become known as the State of the Union address.

Who Presented the Inaugural State of the Union Address?

The distinction of delivering the first State of the Union address is held by George Washington. On January 8, 1790, he rose in Federal Hall in New York City and delivered the address, following a similar format to present-day speeches. Washington covered various topics including national defense, foreign policy, economics, and education. According to an NPR report, Washington's speech was brief, consisting of fewer than 1,100 words, and he completed it in approximately 10 minutes.

Does it always have to be a speech?

No, the tradition of personally delivering the State of the Union address did not begin until much later. For his first address on December 8, 1801, Thomas Jefferson opted to send written copies to both houses of Congress, which were then read by each chamber's clerks. Jefferson aimed to simplify what he perceived as an aristocratic imitation of the British monarch's speech from the throne, which he deemed unsuitable for a republic. This practice of sending written copies to Congress persisted for over a century.
It wasn't until April 8, 1913, that Woodrow Wilson revived the tradition of delivering the annual message in person. He is also credited with transforming the speech from a mere report on executive branch activities into a comprehensive outline of the president's legislative agenda for the year, as reported by First Post citing AP.

When did it become known as the State of the Union address?

It is noteworthy to mention that the address we now know as the State of the Union wasn't always referred to by that name. Originally, it was termed as the president's "Annual Message" to Congress. It wasn't until the 1930s, during Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency, that the phrase "State of the Union" was introduced. Since then, it has gained widespread popularity and has become the commonly used term for this presidential address.

Has the speech been affected by technology?

The first speech delivered on radio was by US President Calvin Coolidge in 1923. Subsequently, in 1947, Harry Truman's address marked the inaugural televised State of the Union broadcast. Recognizing the significance of reaching a national audience, Lyndon B. Johnson rescheduled the speech from mid-afternoon to 9 pm in 1965, aiming to attract the largest number of TV viewers.

In 2002, George W. Bush's speech achieved another milestone as it became the first State of the Union address available as a live webcast on the White House website.

Is there a State of the Union speech every year?

Recent presidents, including Ronald Reagan in 1981, George H.W. Bush in 1989, Bill Clinton in 1993, George W. Bush in 2001, Barack Obama in 2009, Trump in 2017, and Biden in 2021, did not deliver an official State of the Union address during their first year in office. Typically, this address follows shortly after their inaugural speeches. However, many of these presidents still delivered a significant speech to Congress shortly after their inauguration.

Has it always been delivered in person since Wilson resumed it?

You are correct. Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower in 1961, and Jimmy Carter in 1981 sent their final messages in print. Eisenhower, recovering from a heart attack in 1956, prepared a seven-minute filmed summary of the message from his retreat in Key West, Florida, which was broadcast nationwide. Richard Nixon sent a printed message in 1973; his staff mentioned that an oral message would have occurred too soon after his second inaugural address, as reported by First Post.

Which presidents didn't deliver a State of the Union message?

William Henry Harrison, who died 32 days after his inauguration in 1841, and James A. Garfield, who was assassinated in 1881 after 199 days in office, are both notable examples of presidents who had short terms in office due to untimely deaths.