Deseret News archives: President Truman gave first ever televised address from the White House

A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.
On Oct. 5, 1947, in the first ever televised White House address, President Harry S. Truman asked Americans to refrain from eating meat on Tuesdays and poultry on Thursdays to help stockpile grain for starving people in Europe.
Coverage of the TV speech appeared in the Deseret News the next day.
“Mr. Truman asked all citizens go without meat on Tuesdays, without eggs and poultry on Thursdays, and to save a slice of bread a day,” the article read. He also asked the liquor industry to shut down for 60 days.
“Going direct to the people by radio and television, Mr. Truman joined his citizens’ food committee chairman, Charles Luckman, in a grave and sometimes sharply voiced plea for conservation lest prosperity at home and peace in the world be ‘needlessly lost.’”
Europe was still recovering from World War II and suffering from famine, and Truman outlined a plan so Americans could provide aid. He asked farmers and distillers to reduce grain use and requested that the public voluntarily forgo meat on Tuesdays, eggs and poultry on Thursdays, and save a slice of bread each day.
According to historians, in 1947, television was still in its infancy and many homes still used the radio as their source of news and entertainment. Although the majority of Americans missed Truman’s TV debut, his speech signaled the start of a powerful medium.
Many presidents had used radio during their time in office, none more frequently than Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “fireside” chat addresses in 1933 and 1934.
Truman’s subsequent White House speeches, including his 1949 inauguration address, were televised. He was the also first presidential candidate to broadcast a paid political ad.
By the early 1950s, millions of Americans owned TVs. The enhanced viewership led to an enormous impact on the American presidency and future elections.
Some presidents have been more effective at speaking directly to Americans, often in times of crisis, through White House addresses. Here are some stories from Deseret News archives about TV addresses:
“Opinion: An overdue tribute to President Harry Truman”
“Thwarting an invisible threat: How to turn America’s crisis of confidence into a cause for confidence”
“President Trump just addressed the nation about coronavirus”
“President Biden: The time to ‘pass the torch’ is now”
“Truman’s life speaks louder than his words”
“The 21st-century fireside chat: Did Obama connect?”
“Chaffetz giving ‘cot-side chats’”
“Unity is missing in America”