http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman See pictures from the life and presidency of Harry S. Truman. en Copyright 2013, History.com Sat, 25 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT History.com 2013-05-25T04:00:00Z en Copyright 2013, History.com http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo1 Harry Truman was born on May 8, 1884 in Lamar, Missouri. http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo1 http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo2 The son of a farmer, Truman could not afford to go to college. He joined the army at the relatively advanced age of 33 in 1916 to fight in World War I. http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo2 http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo3 Truman married Bess Wallace in June 1919. He nicknamed her "the Boss". http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo3 http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo4 Their daughter Mary Margaret was born in 1924. She became a noted writer. http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo4 http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo5 Truman went on to serve in the U.S. Senate from 1934 until he was chosen as Franklin D. Roosevelt's fourth vice president in 1945 http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo5 http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo6 Upon FDR's death on April 12, 1945, Truman became the 33rd president of the United States, assuming the role of commander in chief of a country still embroiled in World War II. http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo6 http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo7 In one year Truman went from a senator to a vice president to a wartime president. http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo7 http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo8 Truman worked with global powers to steak out the post-war world. http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo8 http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo9 Truman agonized over whether or not to use the recently developed atomic bomb to force Japan to surrender. After only four months in office, Truman authorized the dropping of two atomic bombs on Japan in August 1945. http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo9 http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo10 Japan surrendered ending World War II. http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo10 http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo11 Truman was nominated for President in 1948 but most insiders believed Thomas Dewey would have an easy victory. http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo11 http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo12 Truman travelled all over the country on a whistle stop tour that proved successful. http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo12 http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo13 Truman picked Alben Barkely as his running mate. http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo13 http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo14 Although one paper decided early that Dewey won, Truman was victorious. http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo14 http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo15 After the war, Truman supported the Marshall Plan which aided Europe in reconstruction efforts. http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo15 http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo16 Truman also supported the establishment of a permanent Israeli state. http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo16 http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo17 During the Korean War, Truman and General MacArthur disagreed on tactics. Truman eventually relieved him of command. http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo17 http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo18 Truman was brought back into the spotlight in 1964 when his Medicare cause was signed into law. http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo18 http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo19 In 1953 Truman retired to Independence Missouri where he passed away on December 26, 1972. http://www.history.com/photos/harry-s-truman/photo19