<P> The practice arises from a duty given to the president in the Constitution of the United States: </P> <P> 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 . </P> <P> Although the language of this Section of the Constitution is not specific, by tradition, the President makes this report annually in late January or early February . Between 1934 and 2013 the date has been as early as January 3, and as late as February 12 . </P> <P> While not required to deliver a speech, every president since Woodrow Wilson, with the notable exception of Herbert Hoover, has made at least one State of the Union report as a speech delivered before a joint session of Congress . Before that time, most presidents delivered the State of the Union as a written report . </P>

When does the president make the state of the union address