October 5th, 1947 – a Television First to Save Europe from Starvation
On October 5, 1947 the first presidential address ever televised from the White House was delivered by Harry Truman. The President discussed the urgent hunger crisis facing Europe and how Americans could help through food conservation.
At that time Europe was struggling in its recovery from World War II. Rebuilding from the devastation was difficult enough, but a harsh winter followed by a drought during 1947 ruined crops. Food shortages were rampant and Europe needed food to survive and rebuild.
President Truman said of Europe, "The nations of Western Europe will soon be scraping the bottom of the food barrel. They cannot get through the coming winter and spring without help-generous help-from the United States and from other countries which have food to spare.
"I know every American feels in his heart that we must help to prevent starvation and distress among our fellow men in other countries…. Their most urgent need is food. If the peace should be lost because we failed to share our food with hungry people, there would be no more tragic example in all history of a peace needlessly lost."
Food from the United States helped Europe get through the winter of 1947-1948 and helped set the foundation for the Marshall Plan. It was this initiative that brought about Europe's recovery.
In addition to President Truman, other speakers for the program included Secretary of State George C. Marshall, Secretary of Agriculture Clinton P. Anderson, Secretary of Commerce W. Averell Harriman, and Charles Luckman, who was the Chairman of the Citizens Food Committee.
Read the full text of President Truman's October 5, 1947 statement.
Listen to George Marshall's remarks on October 5, 1947. (audio is faint)
Read how Americans fought hunger in Europe during the Fall of 1947:
Take in a Silent Guest this Thanksgiving (The 1947 Silent Guest Program to Buy CARE packages)
Transformational Leadership in Tackling Global Hunger Crisis (The Friendship Train of 1947)
Old Soldiers Never Die, They Just Fade Away…..And Fight Global Hunger (CARE Packages after World War II)
Published by William Lambers
William Lambers is the author of Ending World Hunger. This book features over 50 interviews with officials from the UN World Food Programme and other charities discussing school feeding programs that fight c... View profile
President Harry S. Truman: Enormous Responsibilities in a Time of CrisisFranklin D. Roosevelt was prepared through family heritage and an elite education to face even the most severe obstacles. Harry Truman, less fortunate in family and education,...
Thanksgiving: Free Old Time Radio for a World War II ThanksgivingCommand Performance began as a way for popular entertainers to show their support of the United States military efforts during World War II in 1942. Today, it can draw generatio...- Ten Films to Teach World War II in the Social Studies ClassroomUse one of these ten movies to enrich your social studies World War II curriculum.
Buyer's Guide for Authentic World War II GearAt the Front provides authentic World War II combat equipment and furnishings. Great for World War II re-enactments or for a collector's showcase, atthefront.com offers a pletho...- Differences in American Foreign Policy After World War I and World War IIThe American foreign policy vastly differed after World War I and World War II; however, foreign policy in one age would not work the same way in the next.
- Cincinnati Art Museum Taking on Global Hunger Crisis
- Congress Planning Food Aid Cuts as Global Hunger Crisis Escalates
- The Aflac Duck and the Global Hunger Crisis
- Clinton to Rally Support for Global Hunger Fight
- The Buck Stops Here - Profile of President Harry Truman
- Global Hunger Needs Attention from World Leaders
- Truman Vs. MacArthur: Legendary 5-Star General was Relieved of Command at Height o...