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Political—Harry Truman

Harry S. Truman became the thirty-third president of the United States on April 12, 1945 after the death of President Franklin Roosevelt. He made critical decisions at the end of World War II, including the orders to drop two atomic bombs on Japanese cities, ending the war. Truman was present at the signing of the charter of the United Nations, an organization of world nations designed to promote world peace. Truman initially used Roosevelt's policies, but soon created his own Fair Deal, which proposed a Social Security program with more benefits, a Fair Employment Practices Act, and public housing. He was elected for president in 1948, and was inaugurated into office in 1949. His inauguration was the first to be nationally televised.

Truman's "Truman Doctrine" committed the United States to a policy of anti-communism. In 1951, during the Korean War, Truman made a profoundly unpopular decision—he fired General Douglas MacArthur, who sent a statement, unapproved by Truman, containing a threat to expand the war into China if the Communist side refused to reach an agreement. Truman felt that there was no alternative but to fire MacArthur, who was not in accord with the president at all. Truman kept the war restricted to Korea as to not ensue in further conflict with China and Russia.

Truman did not run for president again and retired. He died on December 26, 1972 at age 88.

Truman was significant to American history by playing a major role as president. He made decisions that resulted in the ending of World War II. His Fair Deal pushed for less segregation and a higher minimum wage. Truman wanted to end the Korean War quickly, and presented an anti-Communist policy for the United States.

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...ounced that he would abdicate from his senate position, and the following year, NASA invited him to join the space program again. Glenn consented, and on October 28, 1998, while on the Discovery space shuttle he became the oldest human in space, at age 77. Upon returning from space, Glenn and his wife founded the John Glenn Institute for Public Service, which seeks to improve the quality of public service by modernizing and remodeling educational and research facilities.

This was significant in history because John Glenn manned the first manned orbital mission of the United States, which helped the United States advance in the Space Race against the Soviet Union. His journey was unprecedented in America; many scientists and doctors believed that Glenn would not return, or his eyes would change shape. This event paved the way for future American space missions.