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State of the Union Speech

During his or her term, the President must report to Congress about how things are going in the country. Every President from Jefferson to Taft fulfilled this duty with a written statement submitted to Congress. But in 1913, President Wilson resumed President Washington’s practice of directly addressing a joint session of Congress. This “State of the Union” speech, a tradition which continues to this day, usually occurs in January or February each year.

www.justicelearning.org, The United States Constitution, what it says, what it means, A Hip Pocket Guide (Oxford University Press)