From George Washington's first address in New York to modern-day broadcasts, presidential communications with Congress have a rich and evolving history. Senior Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram offers insights into this tradition.

While often referred to as the "State of the Union," the address given by a president shortly after taking office doesn't typically carry that formal title. This is because the Constitution, specifically Article II, Section 3, only mandates that the president provide Congress with information on the State of the Union "from time to time." It doesn't stipulate a specific format or frequency.

Interestingly, President Thomas Jefferson broke with Washington's precedent of delivering the address in person, opting instead for a written report. He felt a spoken address was too reminiscent of a monarch's pronouncements. This practice of submitting a written report continued for over a century until President Woodrow Wilson reinstated the in-person address in the early 1900s.

President Donald Trump waits to greet U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at the White House. (Carl Court - Pool/Getty Images)

Technological advancements significantly impacted how these addresses reached the public. President Calvin Coolidge's 1923 address marked the first radio broadcast, a medium that became increasingly important under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, known for his impactful "Fireside Chats." Television broadcasts began with President Harry Truman in 1947, and President Lyndon B. Johnson shifted the address to primetime in 1965, maximizing its audience reach. By the mid-1990s, President Bill Clinton's speeches were available on the internet.

President Joe Biden delivers the annual State of the Union address. (Shawn Thew-Pool/Getty Images)

Beyond the speeches themselves, certain events surrounding these addresses have become historically significant. President Ronald Reagan's recognition of Lenny Skutnik, a hero of the Air Florida Flight 90 crash, exemplifies the tradition of honoring everyday citizens during the State of the Union. Other moments, like Rep. Joe Wilson's outburst during President Obama's 2009 address and Speaker Nancy Pelosi's tearing of President Trump's speech in 2020, underscore the political drama that can sometimes accompany these events.

President Donald Trump delivers his second inaugural address. (Fox News)

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rips up President Donald Trump's State of the Union speech. (Getty)