Harry S. Truman served as the 33rd President of the United States from 1945 to 1953. Born in Lamar, Missouri, in 1884, he was a World War I artillery captain, a county judge, and a U.S. senator.
A Democrat, Truman became president when Franklin Roosevelt died in April 1945, just 82 days into his vice presidency.
Key Moments
He made the decision to use atomic bombs on Japan in August 1945. He launched the Truman Doctrine and Marshall Plan, supported the Berlin Airlift, joined NATO in 1949, ordered the desegregation of the armed forces in 1948, and led the nation in the Korean War.
Did You Know
Truman famously won the 1948 election despite polls favoring Thomas Dewey. His desk sign read The Buck Stops Here. His library is in Independence, Missouri.
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