John Adams' First State of the Union Address was delivered on Wednesday, November 22, 1797, in the Congress Hall of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At the time of the address, sickness was spreading through Philadelphia and Adams notes in his introduction that he was tempted to relocate the assembly of the national legislature but avoided this due to inevitable expense and general inconvenience.
The 1829 State of the Union Address was delivered by the 7th President of the United States, Andrew Jackson, on December 8, 1829, to the 21st United States Congress. This was Jackson's first address to Congress after his election, and it set the tone for his presidency, emphasizing limited government, states’ rights, and the removal of Native Americans from their lands.
The 1818 State of the Union Address was delivered by the 5th President of the United States James Monroe to the 15th United States Congress on November 16, 1818. In this address, Monroe highlighted the prosperity the United States was experiencing, noting abundant harvests, flourishing commerce, and a surplus in revenue. He attributed these benefits to providence, stating: "For these inestimable blessings we can not but be grateful to that Providence which watches over the destiny of nations."
The 1820 State of the Union Address was delivered by the 5th president of the United States James Monroe to the 16th United States Congress on November 14, 1820.
The 1821 State of the Union Address was delivered by the 5th president of the United States James Monroe to the 17th United States Congress on December 3, 1821.
The 1822 State of the Union Address was delivered by the 5th president of the United States James Monroe to the 17th United States Congress on December 3, 1822.
The 1826 State of the Union Address was delivered by the 6th president of the United States, John Quincy Adams, on December 5, 1826, to the 19th United States Congress. Adams began by noting the prosperity and peace that the nation enjoyed, emphasizing the increase in population, wealth, and national resources. He expressed gratitude for the nation’s overall well-being, stating that “we continue to be highly favored in all the elements which contribute to individual comfort and national prosperity.”
The 1831 State of the Union Address was delivered by the 7th president of the United States, Andrew Jackson, on December 6, 1831, to the 22nd United States Congress. In his third annual message, Jackson highlighted the continued prosperity of the United States, focusing on agricultural success, growth in manufacturing, and advancements in internal improvements. He credited these developments to the nation's free institutions and stressed the importance of maintaining the Union.
The 1833 State of the Union Address was delivered by the 7th president of the United States, Andrew Jackson, on December 3, 1833, to the 23rd United States Congress. In this address, Jackson celebrated the nation's prosperity and expressed optimism about the continued peace and health of the country, as well as the flourishing of its commerce and industry.
The 1834 State of the Union Address was delivered by the 7th president of the United States, Andrew Jackson, to the 23rd United States Congress on December 1, 1834. Jackson highlighted the continued prosperity and peaceful conditions in the nation, praising the harvests and the flourishing commerce. He urged Congress to ensure that "virtue and enterprise" remained central to the country's development.
The 1839 State of the Union Address was delivered by the 8th president of the United States Martin Van Buren to the 26th United States Congress on December 2, 1839. Van Buren opened by noting that while the country had experienced several challenges, including fires, disease, and ongoing trade difficulties in key cities, the nation continued to benefit from prosperity in agriculture. He praised the season's abundant harvests, noting that “no means of individual comfort is more certain and no source of national prosperity is so sure” as agriculture.
The 1840 State of the Union Address was delivered by the 8th president of the United States Martin Van Buren to the 26th United States Congress on December 5, 1840. Van Buren highlighted the country's blessings of “health, plenty, and peace,” as well as the strength of its foreign policy, grounded in the principle of neutrality, which he credited with fostering strong international relationships and preserving domestic tranquility. He commended the country's success in maintaining “peaceful relations” and noted that tensions regarding the Aroostook War with Great Britain appeared close to resolution.
The 1843 State of the Union address was delivered by the 10th president of the United States John Tyler to the 27th United States Congress on December 5, 1843. In this address, President Tyler spoke of America's overall prosperity and stability, crediting "the superintendence of an overruling Providence" for guiding the nation through its many trials. Tyler's remarks emphasized the nation's peace, rising trade and commerce, and the abundance of agricultural production in 1843, which together had contributed to economic revival following the financial instability of prior years.
The 1844 State of the Union address was delivered by the 10th President of the United States John Tyler on December 3, 1844, to the 28th United States Congress.
The 1848 State of the Union address was delivered by James K. Polk, the 11th president of the United States, to the 30th United States Congress on December 5, 1848. This address highlighted Polk’s vision for America following the recent territorial gains from the Mexican-American War and addressed both domestic policies and international relations in a rapidly expanding nation.
The 1850 State of the Union address was delivered by the 13th president of the United States Millard Fillmore to the 31st United States Congress on December 2, 1850. This was Fillmore's first address after assuming office following the death of President Zachary Taylor. In this speech, he presented his vision for the nation and the principles that would guide his administration. William R. King, the president of the Senate, and Howell Cobb, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, presided over the session.
The 1854 State of the Union Address was delivered by the 14th president of the United States, Franklin Pierce, to the 33rd United States Congress on December 4, 1854.
The 1869 State of the Union address was delivered by the 18th President of the United States Ulysses S. Grant on December 6, 1869, to the 41st United States Congress. It was Grant's first annual address, focusing on post-Civil War recovery, economic policy, and civil rights.
The 1870 State of the Union address was delivered by the 18th President of the United States Ulysses S. Grant on December 5, 1870, to the 41st United States Congress. This was Grant’s second annual message, emphasizing Reconstruction, foreign relations, and domestic reforms.
The 1871 State of the Union address was delivered by the 18th President of the United States Ulysses S. Grant to the 42nd United States Congress on December 4, 1871. President Grant highlighted the nation's prosperity and emphasized the enforcement of federal laws. He commended the peaceful resolution of disputes with Great Britain through the Treaty of Washington and noted progress in relations with Germany, Italy, and other nations.
