A Real State of the Union: George Washington's First Annual Address
A Real State of the Union: George Washington's First Annual Address
January 8, 1790: George Washington delivered the first message to Congress on the state of the Union.
No pomp, no long partisan clapping.
And the shortest ever recited by a president.
The speech - especially in comparison to todayβs - shows just how far modern presidents have strayed from the Constitution.