State of the Union facts for kids

Woodrow Wilson giving his first State of the Union address on December 2, 1913. This was the first time since 1801 that a president spoke in person to Congress for this address.

In the United States, the State of the Union Address (often called SOTU) is a yearly speech. The president of the United States gives this speech to a special meeting of both parts of Congress. This usually happens early each year. The speech talks about how the country is doing. It covers the nation's money, the economy, and the president's plans. It also highlights progress, achievements, and new ideas for laws.

This speech follows a rule in the U.S. Constitution. Article II, Section 3, Clause 1 says the president must "give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union." This means telling Congress how the country is doing. For a long time, presidents just sent a written report. But in 1913, Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president, started giving the speech in person. He wanted to get more support for his ideas. Now, the speech is shown live on TV and radio across the country.

The speech is usually in January or February. The Speaker of the House invites the president to speak in the House chamber. Since 1981, new presidents give a speech to Congress in their first year. However, this first speech is not officially called a "State of the Union."

What is the State of the Union?

The idea for the State of the Union comes from the U.S. Constitution. It says:

He shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.

This rule means the president needs to update Congress regularly. Since the 1930s, presidents have given this report every year. It usually happens in late January or early February.

Most presidents since Woodrow Wilson have given the State of the Union as a speech. Before Wilson, most presidents sent a written report instead. The only exception was Herbert Hoover.

Today, the State of the Union is usually given in January. It takes place before a joint session of the United States Congress. This meeting is held in the House of Representatives chamber. New presidents give a speech in their first year, but it is not officially a "State of the Union."

What started as a message to Congress is now a message to all Americans. Since radio and TV, the speech is broadcast live. It is usually given at 9 p.m. Eastern Time to reach the most people.

History of the Speech

George Washington gave the first yearly message to Congress on January 8, 1790. This happened in New York City, which was the capital back then. In 1801, Thomas Jefferson stopped giving the speech in person. He thought it felt too much like a king's speech. Instead, he sent a written report for a clerk to read.

This continued until 1913. That's when Woodrow Wilson started giving the speech in person again. Since then, presidents have almost always given the speech themselves. Sometimes, a president might send a written message too. The last president to only send a written message was Jimmy Carter in 1981. This was just before his term ended.

For many years, the speech was called "the President's Annual Message to Congress." The name "State of the Union" was first used by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1934. It became the official name in 1947.

Before 1934, the yearly message was given in December. The 20th Amendment changed when Congress started its new session. This moved the start of Congress from March to January. So, since 1934, the speech has been given early in the year.

The 20th Amendment also set January 20 as the start of a president's term. When a new president takes office, the old president might give a final message. But no outgoing president has done this since Jimmy Carter in 1981. New presidents do not call their first speech to Congress a "State of the Union." This is because the report is about the past year.

The first page of Ronald Reagan's first State of the Union Address, given January 26, 1982.

Warren Harding's 1922 speech was the first to be heard on radio. Calvin Coolidge's 1923 speech was the first broadcast across the whole country. Harry S. Truman's 1947 speech was the first on television. In 1997, Bill Clinton's speech was the first available live on the World Wide Web.

Ronald Reagan's 1986 speech was delayed. He planned to speak on January 28, 1986. But the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster happened that morning. Reagan spoke to the nation about the disaster instead. The State of the Union was delayed for a week.

In 2019, Donald Trump's speech was also delayed. The Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, first said he could not speak. This was during a government shutdown. They later agreed on a new date.

How the Speech is Delivered

The State of the Union is given to both the House and Senate. So, both parts of Congress must agree on a date and time. Then, the Speaker of the House formally invites the president. This usually happens weeks before the speech.

Who Attends?

Every member of Congress can bring one guest. The president can invite up to 24 guests. These guests sit with the first lady. The Speaker of the House can also invite up to 24 guests. Members of Congress sit wherever they find a spot.

Important people like the Cabinet, Supreme Court justices, and military leaders have special reserved seats.

Entering the House Chamber

Around 8:30 p.m., members of the House gather. Then, the deputy sergeant at arms announces the vice president and senators. They enter and take their seats.

Next, the sergeant at arms announces other important guests. These include foreign ambassadors, Supreme Court justices, and the Cabinet. Each group enters and sits when called. The justices sit closest to the speaker's stage.

The sergeants at arms of the House (left) and Senate (right) wait for President Barack Obama to enter the House chamber for the 2011 State of the Union Address.

Just after 9:00 p.m., the president arrives at the chamber door. The House sergeant at arms stands inside the doors. When the president is ready, the sergeant at arms loudly announces: "Mister/Madam Speaker, the president of the United States!"

Everyone applauds and cheers. The president walks slowly to the stage. They shake hands and greet members of Congress along the way. The president gives copies of the speech to the speaker and vice president. The applause usually lasts a few minutes.

After the applause, the speaker introduces the president. They usually say: "Members of Congress, I have the high privilege and distinct honor of presenting to you the President of the United States." This leads to more applause, and then the president begins the speech.

Designated Survivor and Other Details

One Cabinet member, called the designated survivor, does not attend the speech. This is a safety measure. If something terrible happened to everyone in the chamber, this person would become president. This ensures the government can continue. Since 2001, some members of Congress also go to secret locations. This is to make sure there would be enough lawmakers left to form a new Congress if needed.

Both the speaker and the vice president sit behind the president during the speech. If one is not there, the next highest-ranking person from their house takes their place.

For the 2011 speech, Senator Mark Udall suggested a change. He wanted Republicans and Democrats to sit together. This was after a shooting where a Congress member was hurt. Many lawmakers supported this idea for a few years. But by 2016, seating mostly went back to the usual party arrangement.

What's in the Speech?

The speeches usually share updates on the country and the government. Since 1983, presidents often say, "The State of the Union is strong." Ronald Reagan started this phrase. Almost every president since has used it.

Since Reagan's 1982 speech, presidents also honor special guests. These are often everyday Americans who have done something heroic. Lenny Skutnik was the first person honored this way. He saved people after a plane crash. Now, people honored in the gallery are sometimes called "Lenny Skutniks."

State of the Union speeches usually last about an hour. There is often a lot of applause. This applause can be political. Members of the president's party often clap more. Supreme Court members and military leaders usually do not clap. They want to show they are not taking sides in politics.

Why is the Speech Important?

The State of the Union address is a very important event in U.S. politics. It is one of the few times when all three parts of the U.S. government meet. Members of Congress (the lawmakers), the president and Cabinet (the executive branch), and the Supreme Court justices (the judicial branch) are all there.

Also, military leaders and foreign ambassadors attend. The speech is also a chance to honor regular Americans. The president often invites these people to sit with the first lady.

Similar Speeches in Other Places

Many U.S. states have a similar yearly speech by their governor. Most call it the "State of the State address." Some states call it the "State of the Commonwealth address." The mayor of Washington D.C. gives a "State of the District address."

Some cities and counties also have a "State of the City Address" or "State of the County Address." Even some university presidents give a "State of the University" speech. Some companies have a "State of the Corporation" address from their CEO.

The idea of a "State of the Union" has also been used by the European Union. In Spain, the Prime Minister gives a "Debate on the State of the Nation" speech.

Famous Moments in Speeches

• In 1823, President James Monroe first shared the Monroe Doctrine. This was a big part of U.S. foreign policy for a long time.
• In 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt talked about the Four Freedoms. These were goals for people everywhere: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.
• In 1944, FDR suggested a "Second Bill of Rights." He believed that basic rights were not enough to ensure everyone's happiness.
• In 1964, Lyndon B. Johnson announced his "War on Poverty." This led to new laws to help people in need.
• In 1975, Gerald Ford famously said, "the state of the Union is not good." He was very honest about the country's problems.
• In 2002, President George W. Bush spoke about countries that threatened the U.S. He called them an "axis of evil."

TV Viewership

See also

In Spanish: Discurso del estado de la Unión (Estados Unidos) para niños

• List of State of the Union addresses
• List of joint sessions of the United States Congress
• State Opening of Parliament
• Weekly address of the president of the United States