The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
On December 6, 1923, President Calvin Coolidge took one small step for a President and one huge leap for digital communications at the White House.
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On December 6, 1923, President Calvin Coolidge took one small step for a president and one huge leap for digital communications at the White House. On this day in history, President Coolidge became the first president to address the American people on broadcast radio.
What was the radio broadcast all about?
President Coolidge delivered a message about national priorities and the state of the nation to a joint session of Congress. Nowadays, that speech is known as the State of the Union address.
Over the years, technology has greatly changed the way Presidents deliver the State of the Union address. We've moved from broadcast radio to television, and now the Internet. Here's a timeline of some of the digital "firsts" when it comes to the State of the Union address:
- President Calvin Coolidge in 1923: First radio broadcast of the address
- President Harry Truman in 1947: First televised broadcast of the address
- President George W. Bush in 2002: First live webcast on the Internet of the address
- President Barack Obama in 2011: First to live-tweet the address
How many people were reached as a result of President Coolidge's newfound radio broadcasts?
Glad you asked. While there isn’t an exact number of how many people listened to President Coolidge’s first State of the Union address, the White House Historical Association estimates that his 1925 inaugural address reached more than 23 million radio listeners. In past administrations, reaching that many Americans was practically unheard of.
How has digital communication changed over time at the White House?
Broadcast Radio and Fireside Chats
President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945): Speaking directly from the Diplomatic Room in the White House, Franklin D. Roosevelt used his "fireside chats" to speak to the American people about the issues they were facing during the Great Depression and World War II. As the story goes, Americans across the country would assemble in their living rooms with family and friends, particularly around the fireplace, and listen as the President spoke on the radio. Thanks to modern technology and preservation by the White House Historical Association, you can even listen to one of these "fireside chats" here.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt prepares for his famous "fireside chats". Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Television and the White House
President Harry S. Truman (1945-1953): Speaking about the world food crisis in 1947, President Truman became the first President to appear on television directly from the White House. At the time, his speech was only televised in New York and Philadelphia. Fast forward to just two years later and President Truman’s inauguration was televised to 10 million viewers.
The First White House Website
President Bill Clinton (1993-2001): The first White House website went live under the Clinton administration 20 years ago in 1994. Since then, WhiteHouse.gov has gone through several updates versions. Want to see the first White House website? Take a look inside the archived website here.
140 Characters and Beyond: Social Media at the White House
President Barack Obama (2009-present): With the increasing presence of social and new digital media, President Obama has put a twist on President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s "fireside chats." Now, the President addresses the nation by video and publishes a Weekly Address every Saturday morning. Interestingly enough, President Obama also took part in a "fireside hangout" not too long ago. But this chat took place on Google+ and was a completely virtual interview.
So, how has our current Administration plugged into different forms of digital communication?
Here at the White House, we are constantly trying to tap into new and innovative ways to reach the American people. That’s why we’ve utilized new forms of social and digital media -- including online petitions, blogs, social media, and much more.
Take a look at just some of our Administration’s digital "firsts":
First Tweet:
Welcome to the official Twitter page for the White House! — The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 1, 2009
First Facebook Post:
Post by The White House.
First Instagram Post:
First We the People Petition Response:
First White House Blog Post:
Like this post? Check out these additional resources:
- Interested in getting the Weekly Address sent directly to your inbox? Sign up for our Daily Snapshot to receive the President’s Weekly Address and stay up-to-date on what the Administration is doing.
- Take a look inside the White House and be sure to check out the Diplomatic Room. This room is famously known as the room in which President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his "fireside radio chats" to the American people.
- Are you a history buff? Find out more about President Coolidge, FDR, and past Administrations here.
- Have innovative ideas about how we can connect with the American people? Share them with us here.
Information and photos in this post are courtesy of the United State House of Representatives: History, Art, and Archives, the White House Historical Association, the National Archives, and the Library of Congress.
