The Steel Strike of 1952 and Harry Truman’s Declaration of National Emergency

Using his executive powers, Harry S. Truman declared a “limited” National Emergency on December 16, 1950 under the perceived threat of communism spreading throughout the globe via North Korean forces.

Now, THEREFORE, I, HARRY S. TRUMAN, president of the United States of America, do proclaim the existence of a national emergency, which requires that the military, naval, air, and civilian defenses of this country be strengthened as speedily as possible to the end that we may be able to repel any and all threats against our national security and to fulfill our responsibilities in the efforts being made through the United Nations and otherwise to bring about lasting peace.   Read More

President Harry S. Truman and President Lyndon B. Johnson enjoyed a friendship stemming from a shared belief in national healthcare, civil rights, and other policies that endured through Johnson’s presidency and beyond. Johnson attributed many of his successes to the early steps that Truman took on these important policies. “It was really Harry Truman of Missouri who planted the seeds of compassion and duty which today have flowered into care for the sick and serenity for the fearful,” Johnson said. Read More

From forming the United Nations to addressing conflict in Korea, from establishing NATO to handling the early days of the Cold War, the issues that Harry Truman faced and the unwavering leadership principles that guided him seem to become more and more relevant every day. National media has increasingly turned its attention to President Truman and his legacy to interpret today’s domestic and global news. Read More

Each year some two dozen historians, writers and scholars receive Research Grants to explore the archives at the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum. These prestigious research grants are made possible thanks to the generosity of Truman Library Institute members and donors.

Donors have made it possible for the Truman Library Institute to give out nearly $2.7 million over the years for researchers all over the world to travel to Independence to immerse themselves in archival research and further our understanding of the Truman era.

Meet one of these grantees, Armaghan Ziaee, who recently traveled to the Truman Library from the University of Cincinnati to research for her project focused on the Point Four Program in Iran. We took a few minutes of Armaghan’s time to learn about her research and what she learned while on site at the Truman Library.

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Processing the National Korean War Museum Collection

Natalie Walker is Museum / Archives Technician at the Truman Library Institute and is currently finishing a Master’s in Public History at Colorado State University.

Natalie wrote the following blog post telling the behind-the-scenes story of processing a new collection of Korean War items acquired when the National Korean War Museum closed its doors.

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100 years ago, as Captain Harry S. Truman and the rest of the 129^th Artillery were preparing to ship off to fight in the Western Front and face combat in World War I, the wives and sweethearts of the Battery D men were taking on a project of their own. These women banded together to create a quilt that was eventually raffled off to raise money to buy wool yarn, which would in turn be used to knit socks for the troops. This year only, this special quilt is on display in the Truman Library’s special exhibition, “Heroes or Corpses”: Captain Truman in World War I.

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Harry S. Truman may have entered World War I as a struggling farmer, but he left with the leadership skills and a personal network of friends that launched him into a lifetime of public service that culminated with him becoming one of the greatest presidents of the United States. Read More

Carrying on the legacy of a family member can be a challenge for anyone, but even more so when that family member was the president of the United States. Clifton Truman Daniel, Harry Truman’s eldest grandson, serves as the Honorary Chair of the Truman Library Institute board and often speaks of his grandfather’s legacy and memories he has of “grandpa.”

Daniel was recently interviewed on the podcast Conversations with Ed Tracy, where he shared about his recent work playing his grandfather in a one-man play, reflected on his travels to Japan to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and discussed the role he plays in promoting President Truman’s legacy. Listen to the interview or read an abridged transcript here. Read More

The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum is commemorating the 100th anniversary of Truman entering combat during World War I this year through a new temporary exhibition, ‘Heroes or Corpses’: Captain Truman in World War I. We went behind the scenes and spoke with Curator Clay Bauske about this new exhibition.

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Hundreds of Truman fans celebrated Presidents’ Day with a full day of activities at the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum. Not only that, but Harry Truman made headlines across the country on what turned out to be a very exciting day for Truman! And, according to the Kansas City Star, 2018 is “the year of Truman.” Read More