Presidential Proclamations: National Freedom Day | February 1, 2017
Proclamation 2824—National Freedom Day
February 1st is National Freedom Day, a time to celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s signing of the resolution that became known as the 13th Amendment. Truman built on Lincoln’s civil rights efforts, commissioning the Committee on Civil Rights, being the first president to address the NAACP, calling for civil rights legislation, desegregating the U.S. Armed Forces and U.S. federal hiring, hosting the first openly integrated inaugural gala, and issuing the following proclamation honoring national freedom day in 1949.
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Historic Speeches: Truman’s Inaugural Address | January 20, 2017
Truman’s Inaugural Address to the Nation
On January 20, 1949, Chief Justice of the United States Fred Vinson (one of Truman’s four appointees to the Supreme Court) administered the oath of office to Harry S. Truman. At 12:35 p.m., President Truman delivered his inaugural address to the nation. The address totaled 2,264 words. Read President Truman’s Inaugural Address in its entirety below.
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Historic Speeches: Truman’s Farewell Address | January 10, 2017
A Presidential Farewell
Truman’s Farewell Address to the Nation
On January 15, 1953, President Truman delivered his farewell address to the nation.
In a mere 24 minutes, President Truman spoke about the peaceful transition of power, the presidency and presidential decision-making, forging alliances, containing the Soviet threat and the Cold War, the Korean Conflict, the use of atomic power, the White House renovation, and the American people.
The 3,757-word address was broadcast nationwide from the Oval Office at 10:30 p.m.
Read on for some of our favorite excerpts from President Truman’s Farewell Address.
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Harry S. Truman Library Membership – A President Larger Than Life | December 29, 2016
The late, great Harry S. Truman was quoted as saying, “I don’t believe in little plans. You can always amend a big plan, but you can never expand a little one.” And his Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri stands testament to the fact he lived by those words.
The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum holds many educational exhibits and hosts various events, all aimed at providing a place where the public can learn about this great Democracy, the United States of America. Your membership gift helps maintain this outstanding endeavor for generations to come.
As a member of this great institution, The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum you will be supporting something far more than a library, far more just a museum, you will be joining Harry Truman’s own dream when he built this vast library. You will be helping to provide present and future generations an invaluable place of learning.
From the Desk of Harry S. Truman: Presidential Debate Advice | September 26, 2016
From the Desk of Harry S. Truman: Presidential Debate Advice
Fifty-six years ago today, Democratic Presidential nominee John F. Kennedy debated then-Vice President and Republican nominee Richard M. Nixon in the first-ever televised debate. More than 65 million people viewed the debate. Harry and Bess Truman were two of those viewers. Two days later, President Truman sent a telegram to Senator Kennedy with a single piece of advice for future debates. What did the former president write to the future president?
Celebrate America at the Truman Library on Constitution Day | September 9, 2016
Free museum admission, History Alive! programs, Preamble Challenge and more on
Saturday, September 17
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“We venerate these documents not because they are valuable historical relics, but because they still have meaning for us. So long as we govern our Nation by the letter and the spirit of the Bill of Rights, we can be sure that our Nation will grow in strength and wisdom and freedom.” —Harry S. Truman
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Presidential Proclamation | August 4, 2016
Presidential Proclamation 2976: “Olympic Week”
May 16, 1952
Whereas, by a joint resolution approved this day, the congress has noted that “the XVth Olympic Games of the modern era will be held at Helsinki, Finland, from July 19 through August 3, 1952” and that “experiences afforded by the Olympic Games make a unique contribution to common understanding and mutual respect among all peoples”; and
Historic Speeches | July 27, 2016
1948 Democratic National Convention
Truman’s Acceptance Speech
On July 15, 1948, President Truman delivered the following remarks after receiving his party’s presidential nomination. The address was delivered at 2 a.m. in Convention Hall in Philadelphia and carried on a nationwide radio broadcast.
The Story of Harry S. Truman | July 25, 2016
In 1948, nearly everyone – The New York Times, LIFE Magazine and even Bess Truman – believed Harry Truman would lose the 1948 presidential election. But 68 years ago, the Democratic National Committee understood the power of branding through personal storytelling. We found the proof in the digital archives of the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum and this 1948 graphic biography of Truman’s life, published by the DNC:
Historic Speeches | July 8, 2016
President Truman’s Address Before the NAACP
On June 29, 1947, as the first American 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.
