George Washington’s First Annual Message

On January 8, 1790, President George Washington delivered his first annual message to Congress at Federal Hall in New York City. With this speech, Washington established the precedent of delivering a formal address to Congress to report on the state of the Union.

He praised the accomplishments of the First Congress and gave a brief overview of his administration’s agenda. The President emphasized the need to provide for the common defense; establish uniform systems of currency, weights, and measures; and promote education.

In celebration of the 225th anniversary of the First Congress, the first Journal of the House of Representatives was on display in the National Archives in Washington, DC, showing the final page of George Washington’s State of the Union speech. The image shown below is a page from the Records of the U.S. Senate, recording the same speech.

Learn more about this speech, and the evolution of this “State of the Union” tradition.

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