WWII 80: The Formal Surrender of Japan | September 2, 2020
WWII 80: Highlights from the Truman Library
The Formal Surrender of Japan
September 2, 1945
It is Sunday, September 2, 1945. Some 280 Allied warships and thousands of troops are staged in Tokyo Bay. On the deck of one vessel, the battleship USS Missouri, General Douglas MacArthur and 50 other Allied leaders are assembled. It is not a battle they have prepared for, however, but a brief ceremony. The men aboard the Missouri are about to witness Japan’s formal surrender. Read More
An Update on the Truman Library’s Renovation | June 12, 2020
There is no better place in the United States to tell the story of America’s 33rd president than the Truman Library. And there is no better time to share Harry Truman’s life and legacy.
When the Midwestern farm boy who never went to college assumed the presidency in the final months of World War II, he inherited a worldwide catastrophe. With his “Buck Stops Here” leadership, he created post-war order at home and abroad. The new Truman exhibition will explore these achievements, from the Truman Committee and the Truman Doctrine to desegregating the military and recognizing Israel, for a 21st-century audience.
As the renovation completion date comes into view later this year, the Truman Library is looking more and more like the finished project. Here are a few renderings from the fly-through presentation alongside photos of the current progress. It’s exciting to see our plans become a reality.
On the anniversary of Harry Truman’s recognition of Israel | May 14, 2020
Seventy-two years ago today, on May 14, 1948, President Harry S. Truman made one of the most momentous decisions of his presidency: recognizing the new state of Israel just minutes after its founding. Weeks later, Israel’s grateful president, Chaim Weizmann, presented a gift of appreciation to Truman during a visit to the White House.
Truman in the News | May 11, 2020
The nation has once again turned its attention to the 33rd president as we observe the 75th anniversary of Harry Truman’s presidency. The following is just a sampling of some of the recent media highlights focused on our favorite president:
McCullough, Albright and Baime are Wild About Harry! | April 23, 2020
The Truman Library Institute’s annual fundraiser, Wild About Harry, was originally scheduled to take place today. While we are disappointed not to be gathering with our Truman community this evening, we’re very excited to announce that Wild About Harry, including the presentation of the Harry S. Truman Legacy of Leadership Award to General James Mattis, has been rescheduled for Thursday, October 8, 2020. We hope you will mark your calendar and make plans to join us.
“The First Five Days” Webinar Series | April 20, 2020
75th Anniversary Webinar Recordings
The Truman Library Institute commemorated the 75th anniversary of Truman’s presidency with a special webinar series looking back on Truman’s first few days as President. Hosts Clifton Truman Daniel, President Truman’s eldest grandson, and Truman Library Director Dr. Kurt Graham led webinar discussions in an interactive, five-part series about Truman’s first days as the leader of the free world.
An Update on the Truman Library’s Transformation | March 27, 2020
The Truman Library’s transformative renovation project has made excellent progress through the winter. Below are updated photos taken on March 18. Read More
New at The Truman Library | March 18, 2020
Ernestine “Ernie” Wagner and Women’s Military Service
On June 12, 1948, Harry S. Truman signed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act (WASIA) which allowed women to serve in official capacities in all four branches of the military. Most importantly, the act permitted women’s military service during peace time.
The WASIA paved the way for thousands of women’s military careers, including a Korean War veteran named Ernestine “Ernie” Wagner. Read More
TRU History | March 16, 2020
Harry Truman and the 1918 Pandemic
In 1918, the most severe pandemic in recent history spread through the world at alarming rates. Nearly one-third of the world’s population became infected and approximately 50 million people succumbed world wide — over half a million in the United States.
The H1N1 virus, popularly referred to as the Spanish flu, began wreaking havoc around the globe just as World War I was coming to an end.
Thousands of American soldiers remained in Europe after the war’s conclusion due to logistical transportation issues. One soldier awaiting transport was Captain Harry S. Truman who led Battery D of the 35th Division. Read More
Truman Library Groundbreaking Ceremony | September 17, 2019
Gov. Parson, Archivist Ferriero and Clifton Truman Daniel Break Ground on Library
The Truman Library’s transformative renovation officially kicked off on September 5 with a groundbreaking ceremony featuring Missouri Governor Mike Parson, Archivist of the U.S. David Ferriero, Missouri State Senator John Rizzo, the president’s grandson Clifton Truman Daniel as well as many other local officials and friends of the Truman Library.
Highlights of the special remarks made from a few of our distinguished speakers include the following:
More than 125 friends, donors, board members and local dignitaries joined us for a very special day that will go into the books as one of the great days in the history of the Truman Library. The historic ceremony drew the attention of local media, with coverage from Fox 4, KMBC, KCTV 5, The Examiner and more.
The Truman Library is currently closed for a massive renovation. Learn more about the exciting future of the Truman Library here.
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