Harry S. Truman: A Comprehensive Historical Overview

Harry S. Truman, was the 33rd U.S. president (1945-1953). Harry S. Truman was born in Lamar, Missouri on May 8, 1884 to John Truman (1851-1914) who was a livestock trader and Martha Truman (1852-1947). Although Harry Truman has a middle initial S, it is not a specific name, it was chosen to honor his grandfathers. In 1890, the family of five decided to settle in Independence, Missouri where Harry attended school. Harry was a diligent student, but had very poor eyesight, which prevented him from playing sports. Harry graduated from high school in 1901 and his first job was a time keeper for a railroad construction contractor. He then became a clerk in two Kansas City banks. In 1906, Truman returned to Grandview to help with a family farm and

Truman married Elizabeth Virginia Wallace, later known as Bess Truman and their marriage lasted from 1919 to 1972, until the death of Truman. They had known each other since they were children, because they attended the same school in Independence, Missouri. In 1924, Margaret Truman was born, and was the only child of the couple. While living in Independence with his wife and child, he ran a clothing store with a longtime war friend, Eddie Jacobson. The store failed in the post war recession, but Truman was careful and avoided falling into bankruptcy, and eventually paid his share of the store’s debts.

After many times of running for this position, Truman became Presiding Judge in the Jackson County Court in 1926 and again in 1930. Truman eventually worked himself up into the U.S. Senate. While in Senate, there was a committee he created, the Truman Committee which goal was to ensure that the defense contractors delivered the nation quality goods at fair prices. While he was a Senator, during World War II, he headed the Senate War Investigating Committee into checking waste and corruption and ultimately saved about $15 billion

Truman decided to do a whistle-stop campaign and traveled by train around the U.S. and gave hundreds of speeches. “The president and his running mate Alben Barkley (1877-1956), a U.S. senator from Kentucky, won with 303 electoral votes and 49.6 percent of the popular vote, while Dewey captured 189 electoral votes and 45.1 percent of the popular vote.” (history.com) Harry Truman was sworn into office for his second term in January 1949. Truman’s inauguration was the first to be nationally televised. Although Truman set forth the Fair Deal, many of his proposals were not approved by conservatives in Congress. Truman supported the creation of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). As communism began to rise, President Truman was accused that he and the U.S. State Department, were actually communist spies. Truman left the presidency and retired to Independence in January 1953 and had nearly twenty years to himself. During his retirement, Truman spent his days reading, writing, lecturing and taking long walks. Harry S. Truman died on December 26, 1972 in Library's