More than two centuries of the president's annual message to Congress, in complete, unabridged text.
"The President shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient."
— Article II, Section 3, U.S. Constitution
The State of the Union is an annual address presented before a joint session of Congress, held in the House of Representatives Chamber at the U.S. Capitol. The address reports on the condition of the nation and allows the president to outline his legislative agenda and national priorities.
Prior to the 20th century the State of the Union was referred to as the President's Annual Message, and from Jefferson through Taft it was usually delivered as a written report read aloud by a clerk. Woodrow Wilson revived the spoken address in 1913. As the Annual Message is simply the earlier name for the State of the Union, all of these messages are labeled State of the Union Addresses on this site.