You probably see the headlines every year. Usually around late January, the news starts buzzing about "SOTU" prep, the "designated survivor," and who’s going to be sitting behind the President. But have you ever noticed that there isn't a fixed date on the calendar for it? Unlike the Fourth of July or Election Day, the State of the Union is a bit of a moving target.
Honestly, it’s one of those weird DC traditions that’s half-law and half-logistics. If you’re wondering when is the state of the union address usually given, the short answer is: almost always in late January or early February. But "usually" is doing a lot of heavy lifting there.
The Constitution is Actually Pretty Vague
Believe it or not, the U.S. Constitution doesn't say anything about a big televised speech or a specific Tuesday in January. Article II, Section 3 simply says the President "shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union."
That "from time to time" part is the ultimate loophole.
In the early days, George Washington and John Adams actually gave the speech in person. Then Thomas Jefferson came along and basically said, "This feels too much like a King’s speech." He hated the pomp. So, he started a tradition of just sending a written letter to Congress. For over 100 years, that was it. No cameras, no applause breaks—just a long-winded document read by a clerk while congressmen probably doodled on their desks.
It wasn't until Woodrow Wilson in 1913 that a President decided to show up in person again. He wanted to look his colleagues in the eye. That’s when the "address" part of the State of the Union really took its modern shape.
Why the Date Shifts (and Why It Used to Be in December)
If you looked at a calendar from the 1800s, you’d see the "Annual Message" (as it was called then) happening in December.
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Why the change? You can thank the 20th Amendment.
Before 1933, Congress didn't even start its new session until December. But once the 20th Amendment moved the start of Congress to January 3rd, the President’s report moved with it. Since 1934, we’ve settled into this rhythm where the President lets the new Congress get their offices set up for a few weeks before dropping by to give the big speech.
The Speaker of the House Holds the Calendar
Here’s the thing: the President is technically a guest. They can't just kick down the doors of the House of Representatives whenever they feel like talking.
The Speaker of the House has to send a formal invitation. Usually, the White House and the Speaker’s office haggle behind the scenes over a date that works for everyone's schedule. Once they agree, both the House and the Senate have to pass a formal resolution to hold a "Joint Session."
It’s basically a massive dinner party invite, except instead of dinner, you get a 75-minute speech about tax policy and infrastructure.
Surprising Exceptions to the "January or February" Rule
While late January is the "sweet spot," history has some weird outliers.
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- The March Madness of 2022: Joe Biden gave his 2022 address on March 1st. This was the first time an in-person SOTU ever happened in March. Why? A mix of the Winter Olympics schedule and lingering COVID-19 precautions.
- The Challenger Disaster: In 1986, Ronald Reagan was supposed to give his address on January 28th. That morning, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded. Reagan pushed the speech back a week, instead giving a heartbreaking televised address from the Oval Office to comfort the nation.
- The Government Shutdown Tussle: In 2019, things got spicy. Nancy Pelosi, who was Speaker at the time, basically rescinded Donald Trump’s invitation during a government shutdown, citing security concerns. The speech ended up being delayed until February 5th.
Does Every President Give One Every Year?
Kinda, but not really.
There’s a modern tradition (started by Reagan in 1981) where a newly inaugurated President doesn't call their first speech to Congress a "State of the Union." They just call it an "Address to a Joint Session of Congress."
Logically, it makes sense. You can’t really report on the "state of the union" when you’ve only been in the Oval Office for ten days. So, in the first year of a term, you won't technically see a State of the Union on the schedule, even though the President is still giving a big primetime speech in that same February window.
The Prime Time Pivot
If you’re wondering why you have to stay up late to watch it, you can blame LBJ.
Before Lyndon B. Johnson, the speech was often given in the afternoon. Johnson realized that if he wanted the "average Joe" to hear his plans for the War on Poverty, he needed to be on TV when people were actually home from work. In 1965, he moved the speech to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
Every President since has followed suit. They want those ratings.
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How to Track the Next One
So, how do you know when the next one is coming?
Usually, the announcement happens in early January. Look for a formal letter from the Speaker of the House. If there’s high political tension between the White House and the House majority, don't be surprised if the date gets pushed a little later into February.
What to watch for:
- The Resolution: Watch for the House to pass a simple resolution setting the date.
- The Tuesday Tradition: While not a law, the speech almost always happens on a Tuesday night.
- The Response: Immediately after the President finishes, the opposing party will give their "response." This is usually filmed in a much smaller room and is a great way to see the "other side" of the same issues.
The State of the Union isn't just a speech; it's a massive logistical hurdle involving the Secret Service, the Supreme Court, the Cabinet, and most of Congress. Knowing when is the state of the union address usually given helps you understand the rhythm of the American political year. It’s the starting gun for the legislative session.
If you're planning a viewing party or just want to make sure you don't miss the analysis, start checking the headlines the second week of January. By then, the Speaker and the President have usually stopped bickering over the date and finally put it on the books.
Your next move for staying informed: Keep an eye on the official "Speaker of the House" press releases in early January; that’s where the date is first made "official." You can also check the House of Representatives' official calendar at house.gov to see when the joint session resolution is filed.