President Joe Biden will mark his first 100 days on the by making his first address to a joint session of Congress at 8 p.m. tonight in Washington.
But the speech isn't the State of the Union address.
It will look like one. The president was invited to speak before Congress. There will be pomp and ceremony. In addition to representatives and senators, there will be other dignitaries in attendance.
It will, for all the world, look like a State of the Union address, which has its roots in Article II, Section 3, of the U.S. Constitution, which states as one of the duties of the president:
"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."
So why isn't this the State of the Union?
Tradition. Presidents don't normally give a State of the Union their first year in office. None of the last six presidents did so. Instead, they deliver an address to Congress that amounts to the same thing under a different name.
Whatever it's called, tonight's speech will give the American people a chance to hear President Biden's plans and goals for his term in office. And you can hear the Republicans response afterward, delivered by U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina.
Some may cheer, others may scowl. And many will dismiss it all as political theater. But it's important for Americans to watch and hear from the president what he sees for the country's future - and hear as well what the Republicans have to say about it.
And it's much better to hear those things yourself than to trust whatever version will appear on social media afterward.