Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to 2006

DEC

of the Union, delivered one yea

be the greatest year of a

nding of the Nazi-Fascist

es of retribution about the center of th

must see the substantial beginning

also the end of the malignant power of Japan. And it saw the substantial beginning of world organization for peace. These momentous events became realities because of the st

overseas and who rendered indispensable service in this country. They were supported by millions in all levels of government, including many volunteers, whose devoted public service furnished basic organization and leadership. They were also supported by the millions of Americans in private l

hat the Nation might live and progress. All Americans will also remain deeply conscious of the obligation owed to that larger number of soldiers, sailors,

urselves possessed of immeasurable advantages--vast and varied natural resources; great plants, institutions, and other facilities; unsurpassed technological and managerial skills; an alert, resourceful, and able citizenry. We h

problems may be neglected. We need to act now with full regard for pitfalls; we need to act with foresight and balance. We should not be lulled by the immediate alluri

he present short-range prospect. On the foundation of our victory we can build a lasting peace, with greater freedom and security for mankind in our countr

d caution in steering our way on an uncharted course. But we have no l

all the people of all the world. We must squarely recognize and face the fact of those responsibilities. Advances in science, in communication, in transportation, have compres

orld history in which manifold relationships between nation

y and steadily. Its work must be amplified to fill in the whole pattern that has been outlined. Economic collaboration, for

l and in the other specialized assemblies and councils that have been and will be arranged. But thi

ociety. The United Nations Organization, if we have the will adequately to staff it and to make it work as it should

will and wisdom of our Government and of our people should be focused to contribute to and to influence in

velopment and has changed world relationships so fast that we must realize the fact of a new era. It is an era in which affairs have bec

nterprise economy making full and effective use of its rich resources and technical advances. This is a venture in which business, agriculture, and labor have vastly greater opportunities t

ay in time of peace to the full utilization and development of our physi

by private enterprise, or by State and local governments. On the contrary, the war has demonstrated how effectively we can o

objective there will be man

ive bargaining--with Government assistance but not Government compulsion. This is a problem which is t

rd results from the employment of the resources of the Nation. Business is a public trust and must adhere to national standards

system, which must become progressively more secure, labor attains increasing political

will be determined by our efforts to break the bottlenecks in key items of production, to make surplus property immediately available where it is needed, to maintain an effective national em

r economic system remains competitive, that new businesses have adequate opportunities, and that our national resources are restored and improved. Government must realize t

old age, sickness, and unemployment. Opportunities for a good economy and adequate medical care must be readily available. Every family should build a decent home. The new economic rights to which I have referred on previous occasions is a charter of economic free

of all of us in furthering a positive and well-balanced Government prog