The American Presidency Project

The American Presidency Project

Non-profit and non-partisan, the APP is devoted to the idea of Constitutional government. We are the source of presidential documents on the internet.  We are hosted at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

168,954 Presidential and Non-Presidential Records

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Today in History

April 01, 1846
James K. Polk
Special Message

To the House of Representatives of the United States:

I transmit herewith a letter received from the governor of the State of Ohio in answer to a communication addressed to him in compliance with a resolution of the House of Representatives of January 30, 1846, "requesting the President of the United States to apply to the governor of the State of Ohio for information i...

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The American Presidency Project is the only free online searchable database including all of:

  • The Messages and Papers of the Presidents: 1789-1929
  • The Public Papers of the Presidents: since 1929
  • The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents: 1977-2009
  • The Daily Compilation of Presidential Documents: post-2009

Our archives also contain data related to Midterm Elections,  U.S. Party Platforms (from 1840), Statements of Administration Policy, White House Press Briefing Transcripts, Presidential Debate transcripts. Visit our Documents and Statistics to learn more.

Presidency in the Constitution

"Before he enter on the Execution of his office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:  I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of the President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." (US Constitution, Article II, Section 1)

"He . . .by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law. . . (U.S. Constitution, Article II, Section 2)

"He shall from time to time give to Congress Information of the State of the Union. . .he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States." (U.S. Constitution, Article II, Section 3)

 

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Analyses

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LBJ shaking hands with Martin Luther King after signing the civil rights act.
Presidents Recognize Diversity: Acts of Inclusion
February 11, 2024

Starting in the late 20th Century, Presidents consistently emphasize recognition of a wide variety of cultural groups.

Arlington National Cemetery
Presidents and the Meaning of Memorial Day
May 25, 2024

Presidents have been central in establishing and modifying our practices for Memorial Day.