Truman Library Commemorates 70th Anniversary of the Recognition of Israel | May 9, 2018
Media Invited to Special Viewing of De Facto Recognition of Israel
De Facto Recognition of Israel
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum is inviting the media to a rare viewing of one of the most historically significant items in the Library’s collection, the de facto recognition of Israel, in honor of the 70th anniversary of Harry Truman recognizing the State of Israel on Monday, May 14 at 11 a.m.
Later that evening, the Truman Library and the Truman Library Institute are hosting a public program “Truman, Israel and the Birth of a Nation,” featuring economist and actor Ben Stein in honor of this anniversary.
Eleven minutes after Israel declared independence in 1948, President Truman issued a statement recognizing the new State of Israel, making the United States the first nation in the world to offer recognition. Truman later considered this decision to be one of the proudest moments of his life.
The following rarely-seen documents and artifacts will be on display in this rare viewing:
Truman’s de facto recognition of Israel
This document is one of the most historically significant items in the Truman Library’s collection and is very rarely on display. It includes Truman’s copy-editing notes and his official signed approval before the United States officially offered recognition of the new nation.
Manuscript of Exodus, Book IV
This original manuscript of the Exodus, Book IV, by Leon Uris was presented to the Truman Library by the author at the “Man of the Century” dinner in honor of Truman hosted by the State of Israel Bond Organization in Chicago in 1960. The manuscript consists of 189 typewritten, double-spaced pages with numerous corrections in ink done in the author’s hand.
Israeli War Standard
Israeli War Standard
This standard from the Israeli War of Independence was presented to former President Truman at a State of Israel commendation dinner in Los Angeles in 1962. The award was made to acknowledge President Truman’s role in the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948
Bronze Bust of Chaim Weizmann by Robert Berks
This bronze bust of Israel’s first president Chaim Weizmann was presented to President Truman in 1953 at the Decennial Dinner of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science. Known for his distinctive style, the sculptor Robert Berks also created the bronze bust of John F. Kennedy prominently on display in the grand lobby of the Kennedy Center for the Arts in Washington, D.C.
Media Invitation to Rare Viewing of Artifacts:
- Monday, May 14 at 11 a.m.
- Opportunity to view the artifacts and discuss them with Curator Clay Bauske
- The Legacy Gallery at the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, 500 W. U.S. Hwy. 24, Independence, Mo. 64050
Enter the museum through the main lobby then proceed to the Legacy Gallery.
The Truman Library Institute is the member-supported, nonprofit partner of the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum, one of 14 presidential libraries of the National Archives. The Truman Library Institute draws on President Truman’s legacy to enrich the public understanding of history, the presidency and America’s unique form of government. This mission is achieved through the development and funding of world-class museum exhibits, a robust international research grant program, public forums and nationally acclaimed education programs serving more than 50,000 students and teachers each year. Learn more at TrumanLibraryInstitute.org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Lacey Helmig
Director of Communications
Truman Library Institute
816-400-1217
lacey.helmig@TrumanLibraryInstitute.org
