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Truman sends a message to congress asking them to pass legislation to secure the rights of the nation's minorities.
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Congress passes the European Recovery Program.
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The United States recognizes the state of Israel.
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The Soviet Union blockades the overland access routes to West Berlin. On June 24, 1948, the Soviet Union halted all transportation by road and rail into the areas of Berlin controlled by the United States, Britain, and France. The American and British forces immediately initiated an airlift of supplies to relieve the western-controlled portions of the city. After 321 days and 272,000 flights, the airlift succeeded when the Soviets reopened the borders on March 12, 1949.
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Governor Thomas Dewey of New York accepts the Republican Party nomination for President.
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In conjunction with the British, Truman orders the airlifting of supplies into West Berlin.
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Truman accepts the Democratic Party nomination for President and calls for a special session of Congress.
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At the opening of a special session of the 80th Congress, Truman asks for legislation on housing, civil rights, & price controls. The same day, the President signs Executive Order 9981, which desegregates the Armed Forces. There was good political reason for him to desegregate the armed forces: he needed black votes to win in November. There were political risks involved in his support of civil rights. His actions were minor in light of the broad-based oppression suffered by African Americans.
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Truman campaigns for the presidency throughout the nation (except for the South) and attacks the record of the “do nothing” Republican-controlled Congress. September 06, 1948 - October 30, 1948
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Truman is elected President. The Democratic Party retakes both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
