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Truman's First Appearance as President (3:20)

On April 16, 1945, Harry Truman makes his first official appearance before Congress as president of the United States, after being sworn in following the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt four days earlier. In his speech, Truman pledges to bring World War II to a victorious end.

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Speeches & Audio (14)

  • Truman's First Appearance as President
    Truman's First Appearance as President

    Audio Clip (3:20)

    On April 16, 1945, Harry Truman makes his first official appearance before Congress as president of the United States, after being sworn in following the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt four days earlier. In his speech, Truman pledges to bring World War II to a victorious end.

    Audio Clip (3:20)
  • Harry Truman on Death of FDR
    Harry Truman on Death of FDR

    Audio Clip (3:27)

    On April 12, 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt died of a massive cerebral hemorrhage. Five days after being sworn in as president of the United States, Harry Truman delivers a speech to the U.S. Armed Forces expressing his gratitude for their service and his intention to see through FDR's strategies.

    Audio Clip (3:27)
  • Truman's Inaugural Address
    Truman's Inaugural Address

    Audio Clip (1:57)

    On January 20, 1949, beginning his second term, President Harry Truman denounces communism and presents a program for peace in his inaugural address.

    Audio Clip (1:57)
  • Truman Announces Germany's Surrender
    Truman Announces Germany's Surrender

    Audio Clip (2:04)

    In a May 8, 1945, radio broadcast, President Harry Truman announces the unconditional surrender of Germany, but reminds Americans that the war wages on in the Far East.

    Audio Clip (2:04)
  • Truman Threatens Japan With Atomic Attacks
    Truman Threatens Japan With Atomic Attacks

    Audio Clip (0:26)

    In his radio address to the American people, on August 9, 1945, President Harry Truman speaks about the Hiroshima bombing, and reasserts his threat to use additional atomic bombs against Japan until it surrenders.

    Audio Clip (0:26)
  • Truman Announces Japan's Surrender
    Truman Announces Japan's Surrender

    Audio Clip (1:57)

    On September 1, 1945, in a radio address to the American people, President Harry Truman announces the unconditional surrender of Japan, formalized aboard the U.S.S. Missouri.

    Audio Clip (1:57)
  • Truman Orders U.S. Forces to Fight in Korean War
    Truman Orders U.S. Forces to Fight in Korean War

    Audio Clip (0:23)

    On July 19, 1950, in a radio and television address, President Harry Truman announces to the world that America will intervene in the Korean conflict in order to stem the spread of communism.

    Audio Clip (0:23)
  • Truman Removes MacArthur From Command
    Truman Removes MacArthur From Command

    Audio Clip (0:21)

    Because Gen. Douglas MacArthur's desire to expand the Korean War conflicted with the nation's foreign policy, President Truman felt he had no alternative but to replace MacArthur. On April 11, 1951, Truman relieves MacArthur of his command and informs the American public of his decision in a radio report that same day.

    Audio Clip (0:21)
  • The Truman Doctrine
    The Truman Doctrine

    Audio Clip (1:50)

    On March 12, 1947, President Harry Truman urges a joint session of Congress to support his doctrine, which calls for U.S. financial and military aid to Greece and Turkey in an effort to protect the countries from Soviet domination.

    Audio Clip (1:50)
  • Truman Urges Religious Tolerance
    Truman Urges Religious Tolerance

    Audio Clip (1:16)

    History Features explores an important post-war speech by President Harry Truman, asking for religious unity and tolerance.

    Audio Clip (1:16)
  • Truman Supports Civil Rights
    Truman Supports Civil Rights

    Audio Clip (2:38)

    On June 29, 1947, as the first president to address the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Harry Truman pledges his support for upholding the civil rights of all Americans.

    Audio Clip (2:38)
  • Truman Signs the North Atlantic Treaty
    Truman Signs the North Atlantic Treaty

    Audio Clip (0:34)

    On April 4, 1949, the North Atlantic Treaty was signed by 12 Western democracies, creating the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). President Harry Truman speaks at the signing ceremony on the significance of the new military alliance the first ever made during peacetime.

    Audio Clip (0:34)
  • Truman on United Nations Charter
    Truman on United Nations Charter

    Audio Clip (1:01)

    In a broadcast delivered from the White House by direct wire to the United Nations charter conference in San Francisco on April 25, 1945, President Harry Truman describes the challenges facing the new organization.

    Audio Clip (1:01)
  • Harry Truman at U.N. Groundbreaking
    Harry Truman at U.N. Groundbreaking

    Audio Clip (2:31)

    On October 24, 1949, the cornerstone of the permanent United Nations headquarters was laid in New York City. President Harry Truman delivers a speech emphasizing the need to make the common good a top priority.

    Audio Clip (2:31)

Videos (6)

  • Inaugural Address: Harry Truman
    Inaugural Address: Harry Truman

    Video Clip (2:49)

    Excerpts from Harry Truman's inaugural address on Thursday, January 30, 1940.

    Video Clip (2:49)
  • Truman Survives Assassination Plot
    Truman Survives Assassination Plot

    Video Clip (3:35)

    Secret Service agents battled two gunmen during a failed attempt to assassinate President Truman in 1950.

    Video Clip (3:35)
  • Truman Urges Religious Tolerance
    Truman Urges Religious Tolerance

    Video Clip (1:16)

    History Features explores an important post-war speech by President Harry Truman, asking for religious unity and tolerance.

    Video Clip (1:16)
  • Truman Sacks General MacArthur
    Truman Sacks General MacArthur

    Video Clip (1:44)

    Rewind Breaking News The History Channel: Truman MacArthur Crisis. President Truman didn't want the Korean War to escalate, out of fear that the Soviet Union be drawn further into the conflict. This video clip is courtesy of The History Channel.

    Video Clip (1:44)
  • Deconstructing History: White House
    Deconstructing History: White House

    Video Clip (1:35)

    It may not have been home to the president until 1800 or even called the White House until 1901, but it remains a symbol of freedom and democracy throughout the world.

    Video Clip (1:35)
  • Presidential Fun Facts
    Presidential Fun Facts

    Video Clip (1:21)

    The Oval Office has been filled with extraordinary presidents, but did you know about these not-so-famous firsts?

    Video Clip (1:21)

Photo Galleries (5)

  • Harry S. Truman
    Harry S. Truman

    19 Photos

    See pictures from the life and presidency of Harry S. Truman.

    (19 Photos)
  • World War II Political Leaders
    World War II Political Leaders

    9 Photos

    View photos of World War II political leaders.

    (9 Photos)
  • End of World War II
    End of World War II

    8 Photos

    View pictures from VE day and VJ day as Americans celebrate the end of World War II.

    (8 Photos)
  • World War II Posters
    World War II Posters

    16 Photos

    View photos of famous posters from the World War II era.

    (16 Photos)
  • World War II Damage and Destruction
    World War II Damage and Destruction

    7 Photos

    View photos of the damage and destruction from World War II.

    (7 Photos)

Interactives (2)

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Read More about Harry Truman

Harry Truman, the 33rd U.S. president, served from 1945 to 1953 and saw the country through the end of World War II.

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