Presidential Proclamations: National Freedom Day | February 1, 2017
Proclamation 2824—National Freedom Day
February 1st is National Freedom Day, a time to celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s signing of the resolution that became known as the 13th Amendment. Truman built on Lincoln’s civil rights efforts, commissioning the Committee on Civil Rights, being the first president to address the NAACP, calling for civil rights legislation, desegregating the U.S. Armed Forces and U.S. federal hiring, hosting the first openly integrated inaugural gala, and issuing the following proclamation honoring national freedom day in 1949.
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Historic Speeches: Truman’s Inaugural Address | January 20, 2017
Truman’s Inaugural Address to the Nation
On January 20, 1949, Chief Justice of the United States Fred Vinson (one of Truman’s four appointees to the Supreme Court) administered the oath of office to Harry S. Truman. At 12:35 p.m., President Truman delivered his inaugural address to the nation. The address totaled 2,264 words. Read President Truman’s Inaugural Address in its entirety below.
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Historic Speeches: Truman’s Farewell Address | January 10, 2017
A Presidential Farewell
Truman’s Farewell Address to the Nation
On January 15, 1953, President Truman delivered his farewell address to the nation.
In a mere 24 minutes, President Truman spoke about the peaceful transition of power, the presidency and presidential decision-making, forging alliances, containing the Soviet threat and the Cold War, the Korean Conflict, the use of atomic power, the White House renovation, and the American people.
The 3,757-word address was broadcast nationwide from the Oval Office at 10:30 p.m.
Read on for some of our favorite excerpts from President Truman’s Farewell Address.
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From the Desk of Harry S. Truman: Presidential Debate Advice | September 26, 2016
From the Desk of Harry S. Truman: Presidential Debate Advice
Fifty-six years ago today, Democratic Presidential nominee John F. Kennedy debated then-Vice President and Republican nominee Richard M. Nixon in the first-ever televised debate. More than 65 million people viewed the debate. Harry and Bess Truman were two of those viewers. Two days later, President Truman sent a telegram to Senator Kennedy with a single piece of advice for future debates. What did the former president write to the future president?
Presidential Proclamation | August 4, 2016
Presidential Proclamation 2976: “Olympic Week”
May 16, 1952
Whereas, by a joint resolution approved this day, the congress has noted that “the XVth Olympic Games of the modern era will be held at Helsinki, Finland, from July 19 through August 3, 1952” and that “experiences afforded by the Olympic Games make a unique contribution to common understanding and mutual respect among all peoples”; and
Historic Speeches | July 27, 2016
1948 Democratic National Convention
Truman’s Acceptance Speech
On July 15, 1948, President Truman delivered the following remarks after receiving his party’s presidential nomination. The address was delivered at 2 a.m. in Convention Hall in Philadelphia and carried on a nationwide radio broadcast.
Historic Speeches | July 8, 2016
President Truman’s Address Before the NAACP
On June 29, 1947, as the first American president to address the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Harry Truman pledges his support for upholding the civil rights of all Americans.
This Day In History | March 12, 2016
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
Truman Doctrine Announced: March 12, 1947
On this day in 1947, President Harry S. Truman asked for $400 million in military and economic assistance for Greece and Turkey. “It must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures,” Truman declared. “If we falter in our leadership, we may endanger the peace of the world — and we shall surely endanger the welfare of our own nation.”
In asserting that the U.S. would intervene in faraway conflicts, President Truman dramatically reoriented U.S. foreign policy. What went into writing the Truman Doctrine speech?
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This Day In History | March 5, 2016
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
“Iron Curtain” Speech: March 5, 1946
On this day in 1946, Winston Churchill delivered the “Iron Curtain” speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. President Truman, who had traveled to Fulton with Churchill by train the previous day, joined his friend on the platform and warmly received the speech, now considered one of the opening volleys in the Cold War that followed.
Presidential Proclamation | March 1, 2016
Proclamation 2718: “I Am An American Day”
March 1, 1947
Whereas the rise of the United States of America to a place of eminence among nations in less than two centuries has been greatly enhanced by the migration to its shores of pioneering, freedom-loving peoples; and
