President Franklin Roosevelt’s message to Congress in 1943

Article II, Sec. 3, of the U.S. Constitution requires that, "The President shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient."

Since January 8, 1790, when George Washington personally delivered the first annual message to Congress, presidents have been doing just that in what has become known as the State of the Union Address.