Stating the Union

Article II, section 3, of the U.S. Constitution requires presidents to give "information on the state of the union" to the Congress "from time to time." Generally, presidents have figured "from time to time" means once a year, around when Congress convenes, but there's no rule. And, of course, "information" needn't be speeches.

In 1790, George Washington delivered the first State of the Union speech to a joint session of Congress convened in New York City (then the nation's capital). After hearing the president's proposals, Congress debated, drafted, and delivered a courteous reply promising its cooperation. So such speeches went until 1801, when Thomas Jefferson became president.

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