Learn about the life and legacy of Harry Truman, 33rd President of the United States

Harry Truman

33rd president of the United States.

Harry Truman was the 33rd President of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953. He took office following the death of President Franklin Roosevelt and was instrumental in guiding the United States through the end of World War II and the post-war period.

Truman was born on May 8, 1884, in Lamar, Missouri. He grew up on a farm and had a modest upbringing. After high school, Truman attended a business college and then worked various jobs before joining the National Guard in 1905.

When World War I broke out, Truman was called up to serve in the Army. He saw action in France and was promoted to the rank of captain. After the war, he returned to Missouri, where he became involved in politics.

Truman was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1934 and quickly made a name for himself as a reformer. During World War II, he was selected to chair a committee investigating government contracts and was known for his tenacity in rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse.

When Roosevelt died in April 1945, Truman became President. He made the decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan to bring an end to the war in the Pacific, which remains one of the most controversial decisions in U.S. history.

In the post-war period, Truman faced a number of challenges, including the Cold War and the Korean War. He oversaw the establishment of the Truman Doctrine, which pledged to provide military and economic aid to countries threatened by communism. He also approved the Marshall Plan, which provided economic assistance to help rebuild Europe after the war.

Truman left office in 1953 and returned to Missouri, where he lived out the rest of his life. He died on December 26, 1972, at the age of 88. Despite facing criticism during his presidency, Truman is remembered as a decisive and determined leader who helped guide the country through a difficult period in its history.

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