Trivia

During the Korean War, a soldier was killed and had received the Purple Heart for his heroic duties. However, the soldier's family sent the Purple Heart back to Truman with a letter telling him how he it was his fault that their son died. For the rest of his days, Truman kept that Purple Heart on his desk as a reminder about all of the difficult decisions that came with being President.

The two most controversial decisions of his presidency were the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, and later his decision to relieve Gen. Douglas MacArthur of his command during the Korean Conflict. Truman took that step because MacArthur indirectly insulted the President by making policy pronouncements about how he would handle the war--in direct contravention to the principle of US military leaders carrying out policy, not making it-- and strongly implying that the limited conflict in Korea should be turned into a war against the Soviet Union and China. The Soviets were already supplying North Korea with weapons, planes and air crews. Truman later claimed that prior to the Wake Island Conference on 10/15/1950, MacArthur ordered that Truman's plane be kept circling while his (MacArthur's) plane be allowed to land first. According to eyewitness accounts, however, this was not true. MacArthur arrived at Wake Island 12 hours ahead of Truman and was waiting for him at the airport when his plane landed.

In 1953 he made a well remembered departing speech from the end platform of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad's National Limited train on leaving Washington, DC, for his home town of Independence, MO.

When he returned to Independence, MO, after choosing not to seek another term, there were no pensions at the time granted to former Presidents. He and Mrs. Truman survived solely on his military pension for service in World War I.

On 4/12/1945 he automatically became US President upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Elected President of the US in 1948 and served until 1953.

Father of Margaret Truman, writer of popular murder mysteries set in Washington, DC.

Inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians in 1991.

Was the only US president of the modern era not to have a college education.

Vice President of the United States (1945).

During his time in the US Senate, he was known as its most amiable member.

Hated air conditioning, and used fans in his office.

His nickname for his wife Bess Truman was, "The Boss".

Following his term as President, he received all kinds of offers for speaking engagements, or to plug commercial products. He turned them all down because he knew they did not want him, they wanted the endorsement of a president. He refused to compromise the dignity of the office.

He loved to play poker and enjoyed introducing unorthodox versions of the game, such as numerous wild cards.

Term limits were introduced during his presidency, making him the last president who could have been elected a third time.

On 10/5/47 he became the first US President to appear on television delivering an address from the White House.

His wife Bess Truman lived to be 97 years old, making her the longest-living First Lady.

In November 1948, when he scored his upset presidential re-election victory, Bob Hope sent him a one-word telegram: "Unpack". He was so amused by it he kept it in his desk in the Oval Office.

Member of the Democratic Party.

Served as 33rd President of the US, 1945-53.

Many of his family had either owned slaves, held pro-slavery views or openly supported the Confederacy, and Truman grew up in an environment that harbored many racist views. While beginning his political career, he was encouraged to join the Ku Klux Klan (and ultimately declined). Nonetheless, he went on to espouse civil rights platforms and became the first 20th-century president to push strongly for civil rights legislation for blacks. In 1948, over the strong objections of top Defense Department officials, Army leadership and conservatives in Congress, he ordered the abolition of separate units for black and white troops, thus integrating the US armed forces.

In the 1948 presidential election, the right-wing "Chicago Tribune", in a famous headline that was published before the election returns were completely in, declared that Truman had been "defeated" by Republican Thomas E. Dewey. The paper got a rude shock the next day when final election returns showed Truman winning the presidency by a comfortable margin.

Popularized--but did not invent--the phrase "The Buck Stops Here.".

Served in World War I in the US Army as a captain in an artillery unit. He was the first and only combat veteran of the war to be elected President.

Pictured on an 8¢ US commemorative postage stamp issued in his honor, 5/8/73 (anniversary of birth immediately following his death).

Pictured on a 20¢ US definitive postage stamp in the Great Americans series, issued 1/26/84.

Referred to the White House as "the big white prison".

Pictured on a commemorative 4¢ postage label issued by the (now defunct) Independent Postal System of America in 1973.

US Senator from Missouri 1935-45.

Sharply criticized a music critic for the man's caustic remarks about his daughter Margaret Truman's piano recital.

Once owned a haberdashery where he sold men's clothing and suits.

He was the first President to speak in front of the NAACP, where he declared before 10,000 audience members that "The only limit to an American's achievement should be his ability, his industry, and his character.".

Had universities and villages named after him.

Great-grandfather of Wesley Truman Daniel.

He had an infamously foul mouth, so much so that his political opponents tried to use it against him, saying that a person who cursed so often lacked the dignity to hold such high office. While he was serving as an artillery commander during World War I, his troops tried to flee during an enemy assault. He let loose with a stream of curses so loud, long and foul that they were stunned into holding their ground and he managed to rally them into a successful counter-attack.

Had hoped to attend West Point but his poor eyesight kept him out.

Attended both law school and business school but dropped out of both.

Spent two years selling car club memberships after his losing his seat as a County Court judge in 1924.

Mentioned in Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start The Fire".

His administration controversially used many Nazi war criminals, such as Klaus Barbie, to further anti-Communist activities in Europe.

His dislike of his successor in the White House, Dwight D. Eisenhower, was so great that he hardly ever referred to him by name in interviews of his later years, usually calling him "that fellow" or things like that.

In 1906 came back home and combined his work in a farm with the job of judge.

In his last will and testament, executed in January 1959, he divided the bulk of his estate, valued at $600,000 to his wife and daughter. He also left a plot of land in Grandview, MO, to his Masonic Lodge and $15,000 to be divided among various nieces, nephews and their children.

Considered creating the state of Israel within the United States in 1948, but was warned the backlash from voters would be too severe.

The only U.S president to use the atomic bomb against a military target. He insisted the atomic bombings of Japan ended the war, although many historians believe the Soviet entry into the war on 8/9/1945 and the Soviet invasion of Manchuria were more important factors. It is also believed a naval blockade would have starved Japan into unconditional surrender, without the need for a ground invasion.

His first work was in a bank.

Elected Vice President in 1944, with Franklin D. Roosevelt as President.

Born at 4:17pm-CST.

His middle initial, "S", did not stand for anything. His grandfathers, Anderson Shipp Truman and Solomon Young, both argued over whose would be the child's middle name. In the end, they agreed to make "S" his middle name, and Truman's full name was Harry S. Truman.