What is the State of the Union Address?

The State of the Union Address is an annual message presented by President of United States to a joint session of the United States Congress which starts after the president completes one year of his term and as it is broadcast live across the country, it is a platform for President to directly communicate to the people of America

The president address held in the house of representative before a joint session of the United States Congress, it usually takesplace around evening.

The addressincludes an economic report of the nation, legislative agenda that needs Congress cooperation, national priorities and administrations' accomplishments over the previous year.

The eventis seen as one of the most important in the US political calendar, during the address president also use it as an opportunity to honour the achievements of ordinary Americans who are invited by the president to sit with the first lady.

The practice was started by Woodrow Wilson, the 28th US President before himPresidents would only submit a written report to the Congress for his agenda.

It started from communication between presidents and Congress only however after the emergence of broadcast media, the address now works as communication between the president and its people of the country.

The practice of the State of The Union address arises from a duty given to the president in in article II of section 3 of the United States Constitution, which says,

"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."

Presidents who are newly elected address Congress after holding the presidential office which isn'tconsidered as the State of the Union address, it is only considered the state of the union address after president completes its one year of the term.

Before each State of the Union address, a formal invitation is sent to the president made by the speaker of the house.

The live audience of the address includes President with the first lady and his invited guests; every member of Congress and their guests which each can bring one; the speaker of the house and his guests, the cabinet, supreme court justices, member of diplomatic corps and joint chiefs.

Current United States president Donald Trump will give his state of the union speech on Tuesday, January 30 with the theme set on "building a safe strong and proud America."