Harry S.
Truman
(1884-1972)
The Life of an
American President
Baby Harry
• Harry S. Truman was
born in Lamar, Missouri,
May 8, 1884 to John and
Martha Truman.
• Harry’s father was a
farmer, and his mother
was a homemaker.
• To honor both his
grandfathers, Shippe and
Solomon, Harry’s parents
gave him the middle initial
“S” instead of a middle
name.
A Small Town Boy
• Harry grew up on his
family’s farm in
Grandview, Missouri.
• When Harry was six
years old, the Truman
family moved to
Independence,
Missouri, so that the
children could attend
better schools.
• As a boy, Harry loved such pastimes as reading,
riding his Shetland pony, and chasing frogs around
his farm.
• Unfortunately, Harry’s eyesight was poor, so his
parents made him wear thick, wire-rimmed glasses.
• Harry was an excellent student, graduating from
Independence High School in 1901.
Elizabeth “Bess” Virginia
• Bess Wallace graduated
in 1901 from
Independence High in
the same class as her
future husband, Harry
Truman.
• Years later, when
Harry’s aunt sent him to
return a cake plate to
the Wallace’s house,
Harry renewed his
friendship with Bess.
• After courting her eight
years, Harry married
Bess in June of 1919.
Military Years
• Harry joined the
Missouri National
Guard in 1905.
• Despite his poor
eyesight, Harry was a
captain in the army
during World War I. In
order to serve his
country, he
memorized the eye
chart.
Mary Margaret Truman
• Mary Margaret was born to
Harry and Bess Truman on
February 17, 1924.
• The infant spent her first
night in a dresser drawer
before Harry braved a
snow storm to go buy a
crib.
• As an only child, “Margie”
was adored by her whole
family.
Early Political Career
• After serving many
years as a judge for his
county, Harry was
elected to the U.S.
Senate in 1934. He
won reelection in 1940.
• As a senator, Harry
gained a strong
reputation as a
politician.
The Vice Presidency
Left: Harry
Truman is sworn
into office as
America’s Vice
President.
• In 1944, Franklin D. Roosevelt ran successfully for a
fourth term in office with Harry as his running mate.
• After serving only 82 days as Vice President, Harry
Truman became the 33rd President of the United States
due to Roosevelt’s unexpected death.
1945: A “Year of Decisions”
• Harry described his
first year in the
White House as a
“year of decisions.”
• As President, he
was responsible for
trying to resolve the
aftermath of World
War II in Eastern
Europe and Japan.
Whistle Stop Campaign
• When Harry ran for
presidential
reelection in 1948,
he defeated
opponent Thomas
Dewey in what has
been called the
“upset of the
century.”
Presidential Highlights
The Truman Legacy: 1945-1953
Listed here are a few of the accomplishments President
Truman made during his time in office:
• The creation of the United Nations, a global
peacekeeping organization
• The formulation of the Truman Doctrine, a
cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy which pledges
America’s aid to nations struggling to remain free
from Communist aggression.
• The execution of the Marshall Plan, an initiative that
provided billions of dollars to help rebuild the
economies of European countries devastated by
WWII.
• The signing of Executive Order #9981, an order
that ended discrimination in U.S. armed forces.
The Return to Independence
• Harry decided not to
run for reelection in
1953.
• After Dwight D.
Eisenhower was
inaugurated as
America’s next
President, Harry and
Bess boarded the
train home to
Independence.
Retirement
Life after the White House
• As a private citizen
able to enjoy
retirement, Harry
would work on
planning his
Presidential library
to be built in
Independence,
Missouri.
Truman Presidential
Museum & Library
• The Truman Library
was completed in
1957. It houses over
16 million papers and
35,000 artifacts that
document the
personal and public
life of Harry Truman.
• President Truman had
an office at the
Library that he used
almost daily for nine
Above: Harry and Eleanor
years.
Roosevelt tour the Library.
Then…
Now
Follow-up Questions
• What do you think is Harry Truman’s
most lasting contribution as an
American President?
• What is the most interesting fact that
you’ve learned about Harry Truman?
• What more would you like to know about
Truman as a man or a President?
• What do you believe are good qualities
for a leader to possess? Do you think
that Harry exhibited good leadership
and character as our President?