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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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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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

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?

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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

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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.

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In 1948, nearly everyone – The New York Times, LIFE Magazine and even Bess Truman – believed Harry Truman would lose the 1948 presidential election. But 68 years ago, the Democratic National Committee understood the power of branding through personal storytelling. We found the proof in the digital archives of the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum and this 1948 graphic biography of Truman’s life, published by the DNC:

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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.

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THIS DAY IN HISTORY: June 6, 1944

President Roosevelt’s D-Day Prayer

In a national radio broadcast on June 6, 1944, as 160,000 Allied troops land in Normandy in an attempt to liberate France, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asks “my fellow Americans” to join him in this prayer:

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In honor of Mother’s Day, we’re posting this family story shared by Clifton Truman Daniel at Wild About Harry 2012. Clifton is the oldest grandchild of Harry and Bess Truman and the honorary chairman of the Truman Library institute. Read More