Truman Civil Rights Symposium

Interactive Civil Rights Timeline: 1945-1954

In response to brutal attacks against Black WWII veterans in 1946, President Harry S. Truman created a first-of-its-kind Committee on Civil Rights, endorsed their landmark report, adopted their recommendations and campaigned on a civil rights platform, and ultimately desegregated the military and federal workforce through executive order. When America desperately needed a leader to advance its promise of freedom, President Truman stepped forward. His courageous leadership in the 1940s paved the way for civil rights reform in the 1960s, and stands today as model for fulfilling dreams yet deferred.

1945

December 31, 1945


 

Of the 2.5 million African American men who register for the draft from September 1, 1939 through December 31, 1945, more than one million, along with thousands of African American women, serve with distinction in World War II in all branches of service and in all Theaters of Operation. Photo details

1946

February 12, 1946


 

Isaac Woodard, an African American WWII veteran, is brutally attacked and blinded hours after being honorably discharged. When Truman learns of this atrocity, and others, he vows, “I shall fight to end evils like this.”

Watch “The Blinding of Isaac Woodard”

December 5, 1946


 

Truman issues Executive Order 9808 creating a first-of-its-kind Committee on Civil Rights to propose measures to strengthen and protect the Civil Rights of the American people.

Read Executive Order 9808

 

1947

June 29, 1947


 

Truman becomes the first President to address the NAACP, also marking the first time a president addresses a Civil Rights organization. He delivers the strongest statements heard on Civil Rights since Abraham Lincoln.

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October 29, 1947


 

The President’s Committee on Civil Rights issues their landmark report, To Secure These Rights. The Committee calls for equal voting rights, the creation of a Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department to combat lynching and other assaults on Black lives and freedoms, equal employment, and fair housing laws.

Explore the Landmark Civil Rights Report

 

1948

February 2, 1948


 

President Truman calls for a series of legislative proposals based on the findings in To Secure These Rights in the first ever comprehensive presidential message on Civil Rights delivered to Congress.

Learn More About This Day in History

 

July 26, 1948


 

Truman signs Executive Order 9981, which desegregates the U.S. Armed Forces, and Executive Order 9980, which prohibits race-based employment discrimination in the federal government.

View Executive Order 9981

 

October 29, 1948


 

In the last days of the election, Truman makes a campaign appearance in Harlem. It is the first time a U.S. president visits the symbolic capital of Black America.

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1949

January 12, 1949


 

In the Fahy Committee’s first meeting with President Truman and the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Defense, Truman says, “I want concrete results—that’s what I’m after—not publicity on it.” The Committee takes him literally, not only investigating conditions but also working quietly and diligently with the Army, Navy, and Air Force to bring about desired changes.

View the Historic Photo

 

1950

May 22, 1950


 

The President’s Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the Armed Services (Fahy Committee), established as part of E.O. 9981, submits its final report, Freedom to Serve.

Explore “Freedom to Serve”

 

1954

May 17, 1954


 

The enactment of E.O. 9981 paves the way for the Civil Rights movement, including the desegregation of public schools. In Brown vs. Board of Education, the Supreme Court reviewed a briefing about the successful integration of military units before declaring that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional, noting there had been no loss of efficiency and outstanding morale in integrated units.

Video Segment: “Freedom from Fear”

October 30, 1954


 

The Armed Services announces integration of all of its branches after some branches resisted and delayed implementation of E.O. 9981.

Explore the Archives

 

 

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