TRU Blog

TRU Blog

PASSAGES | January 11, 2016

 

GEORGE M. ELSEY

Former senior advisor to President Truman dies at 97

We were saddened to learn that one of two surviving members of President Truman’s inner circle passed at the turning of the year. Military adviser to Presidents Roosevelt and Truman, George Elsey last visited the Truman Library in 2007. We asked: “If Harry Truman walked through his Library today, what do you think he’d be most proud of?”

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PASSAGES

MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS | January 8, 2016

 

12 Amazing WWII Artifacts in the Truman Collection

 

Rarely Viewed documents, photos and objects headed back to the Truman vault

Till We Meet Again, the Truman Library’s exhibition commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, closed this week, but we won’t soon forget the stories behind these 12 rarely-exhibited items from the Truman collection.

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Hanukkah at The White House | December 7, 2015

 

From the Archives

Hanukkah at The White House

Among the gifts from heads of state that are in the holdings of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum is a menorah presented to President Truman by Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion. The menorah dates back to at least 1767, when it was donated to a synagogue in Buergel, Germany.

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Hanukkah at The White House

Giving Thanks in 1945 | November 25, 2015

A Word from Harry

Presidential Proclamation 2673 – Thanksgiving Day, 1945

By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

In this year of our victory, absolute and final, over German fascism and Japanese militarism; in this time of peace so long awaited, which we are determined with all the United Nations to make permanent; on this day of our abundance, strength, and achievement; let us give thanks to Almighty Providence for these exceeding blessings.

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Giving Thanks in 1945

Picturing History – Japan Surrenders | August 14, 2015

 

VICTORY!

“I have received this afternoon a message from the Japanese Government…”

At 7 pm on August 14, 1945, President Harry Truman stood before reporters gathered at the White House and announced the unconditional surrender of Japan. The Pacific War was over. Although the formal signing of the terms of surrender ending World War II would not occur until September 2nd, the announcement of Victory over Japan Day, or V-J Day, sent millions of Americans–citizens and members of the armed forces, out into the streets of cities and towns across the country and around the world.

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Picturing History – Japan Surrenders