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Harry S. Truman Becomes President
Harry S. Truman, previously Vice President of the United States, is sworn into the office of President upon the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt 82 days after being elected.. -
End of WWII
Truman announces the end of World War II in Europe over the radio (what came to be known as VE [Victory in Europe] Day). -
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Potsdam Conference
Truman attends conference with Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill in Potsdam, Germany, to discuss the post-war treatment of Germany. -
Hiroshima
Truman ordered the drop of the first atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. This was the first of two atomic bombs that were dropped on Japan. -
United Nations
Truman signed the charter of the United Nations on this day, making the United States of America the first country to ratify it and join the U.N.. The other person in the picture is his Secretary of State. -
Nagasaki
When Japan failed to surrender after the first bombing, Truman announced the dropping of the second atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Nagasaki, utterly decimating it. -
End of the War with Japan
After decimating two Japanese cities with atomic bombs, Japan finally surrendered. On this day, Truman announced the end of the war with Japan. -
Truman Doctrine
Truman gave a speech to Congress about what would become known as the "Truman Doctrine". At the time, it meant that the U.S. would contribute funds to Greece and Turkey in exchange for their remaining independent of the Soviet Union. Now, many understand it to mean that the U.S. should proactively intervene for any country that may aspire to become a communist state. -
The Marshall Plan
On this day, Truman signed The Marshall Plan, which was a plan to help aid European countries after the end of WWII. Truman wanted to see Europe flourish again under a free, capitalist society. -
Recognition of Israel
Truman, acting on behalf of the U.S., recognized the Jewish government and the state of Israel. He made it clear that he was sympathetic to the Jewish cause, and stated that they needed a homeland after being so harshly abused in the tragic holocaust of WWII. -
Desegregation of Armed Forces
Truman issued Executive Order 9981, which abolished racial segregation within the U.S. Armed Forces and eventually led to total desegregation. -
Truman Defeats Dewey
After Truman's famous 1948 Whistle Stop Campaign for his second term as President, he defeated his opponent against all odds on November 2nd. The next morning, he laughed at the misprint in the paper that read "Dewey Defeats Truman", because nobody thought he would win. -
NATO
Truman signed the North Atlantic Treaty along with twelve other nations, creating the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This organization came to play a great role in politics in future years.
