WASHINGTON — The U.S. Constitution spells it out clearly in Article II, Section 3: The president “shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.” But the modern State of the Union address — the pageantry, the televised address and the agenda-setting message — is a far more recent tradition that began in the late 18th century. A look at the history of the State of the Union address as the White House weighs its response to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s suggestion that President Donald Trump delay this year’s address or give it in writing due to the partial government shutdown: Q: Who delivered the first State of the Union address? A: George Washington on Jan.