Introduction - Harry S. Truman
Because of the numerous and important accomplishments during his presidency, Harry S. Truman is a man who has rightfully earned his spot on the best U.S. Presidents list. When he took office, after the death of President Roosevelt, what he faced were some of the most challenging and important decisions in U.S. history. Learn what obstacles this great president had to overcome as a kid, where he was raised, how he began his political career and why he did not run for a third term in the condensed biography full of interesting facts and information below.Click here for a great selection of Amazon.com books about Harry Truman.
President Harry S. Truman Quick Facts
- Truman was the 33rd president of the U.S. serving from 1945 - 1953. He was President Franklin Roosevelt's vice president and succeeded to the presidency when Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945.
- He was a member of the Democratic Party.
- He was born on May 8, 1884 in Lamar Missouri.
- From 1945 to 1949 President Truman did not have a vice president. Alben W. Barkley was Truman's vice president from 1949 - 1953.
- After a series of health issues, he died from multiple organ failure on December 26, 1972 at the age of 88.
President Harry S. Truman Interesting Facts
- He never received a college degree.
- His birthplace was Lamar, Missouri and the house where he grew up has become the Harry S. Truman National Historic Site.
- Truman had very poor eyesight since childhood which made it difficult for him to play sports or participate in certain activities.
- Harry S. Truman was not given a middle name when he was born, he was simply given the middle initial "S" in honor of his two grandfathers.
- He served in the military during World War One and rose to the rank of captain.
- The aircraft carrier, USS Harry S Truman was named in honor of the former president.
Harry S. Truman Presidency Facts
- One of the biggest decisions during Harry S. Truman's presidency, or any presidency for that matter, was the executive decision to drop atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This action brought an end to WWII.
- Truman was credited with establishing the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency), NATO (North Atlantic Treaty organization), and the NCA (National Security Council).
- The United States involvement in the Korean War starting in 1950 was a decision made by President Truman. His motive was to stop the spread of communism.
- Harry S. Truman's ability to handle many difficult domestic issues during his presidency was as impressive as his ability to handle foreign issues. Among other things, he dealt with labor unrest as the U.S. moved from a wartime to a peacetime economy.
- Truman had several famous quotes as president including "It's a recession when your neighbor loses his job; it's a depression when you lose your own" and perhaps the most famous "The buck stops here" which he kept on his desk in the White House.
- After serving eight successful years as president, he realized the challenges he faced in running for another term as president against Dwight Eisenhower. At 68, he and his wife chose to return to their life in Missouri.