As President Barack Obama (pictured) gears up for tonight’s State Of The Union address, many will expect him to cite crucial issues such as federal spending and immigration. But for the readers not too familiar with SOTU’s, NewsOne has you covered with our Eight Things You Didn’t Know About The State Of The Union Address list.
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1. George Washington was the first president to deliver a State Of The Union Address in 1790 at New York City’s Federal Hall. [CBS News]
2. According to Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, the president is mandated to give a series of SOTU’s during his terms. “He 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.” [Cornell University Law School]
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3. In more recent SOTU’s, it has become commonplace for presidents to invite guests symbolizing issues they plan to touch on. For example, President Obama has invited the parents of Hadiya Pendleton, the 15-year-old recently shot and killed in Chicago who performed at his inauguration. Obama has spoken out against the recent episodes of gun violence gripping the country. [CBS News]
Watch President Obama’s 2012 State Of The Union address:
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