SOTU History

[bhunter]

According to the official webpage of the U.S. House of Representatives, the State of the Union Address wasn't called that until 1942. Prior to that (starting in 1790) it was known as the "Annual Message" even though the Constitution only requires the President to report "from time to time."

According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), both George Washington and his successor John Adams delivered their remarks in person, but

"President Jefferson abandoned the practice as "monarchical" and time consuming, sending written messages instead.

This precedent was followed until President Wilson personally appeared before Congress in 1913. President Franklin Roosevelt adopted Wilson's practice of personal delivery, and it has since become a contemporary tradition.
http://www.mullings.com

Personally, I prefer the old method of the written word. We've seen enough of the meaningless political grandstanding that has become part and parcel of the SOTU. I'm not at all surprised to find Wilson and FDR behind the change. Happy SOTU watching!