The U.S. Constitution requires the president "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." Article II, Section 3, Clause 1.
Past State of the Union Addresses
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U.S. President Richard M. Nixon is shown Jan. 22, 1971 delivering his State of the Union address to Congress.
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President Jimmy Carter touches his brow as he addresses those in the House chamber of the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 23, 1979.
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President Ronald Reagan receives applause from a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington on, Jan. 25, 1983 prior to making his State of the Union Message.
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U.S. President George H. Bush removes a letter from his pocket during his first State of the Union address, Jan. 31, 1990.
