Week: 10 Harry Truman

Monday, August 8, 2011

Full name: Harry S. Truman—the middle initial actually did not stand for anything. This was done to satisfy his grandfathers, whose names both began with the letter “S.”

Born: May 8, 1884

Died: December 26, 1972

Importance: As vice president, Truman became president of the United States when Franklin Roosevelt died shortly after being elected to his fourth term. He led the U.S. through the end of World War II and navigated the country through the post-war world.

Pictures:

Video – President Truman Reads the Japanese Surrender – 1945

Key Facts

Truman was the first and only president to authorize the use of atomic weapons. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki led to the Japanese surrender on August 14, 1945, ending World War II.

The Truman Doctrine, which fostered a U.S. policy of containment against Communism, shaped the country’s foreign relations and direction during the Cold War and beyond.

Truman supported the creation of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), which created an alliance between the U.S. and many other countries beyond the reach of Communism. He created support for the organization in the senate and appointed Dwight Eisenhower as NATO’s first commander.

Quotes from Harry Truman

"A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties."

"In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves...self-discipline with all of them came first."

"It is understanding that gives us an ability to have peace. When we understand the other fellow's viewpoint, and he understands ours, then we can sit down and work out our differences."

"You can always amend a big plan, but you can never expand a little one. I don't believe in little plans. I believe in plans big enough to meet a situation which we can't possibly foresee now."

Excerpt from Andy Andrews

Excerpt #1 from The Traveler's Gift:

“When you chose the house in which you would live and the cars you would drive, you chose how much the payments would be each month. By choosing to eat rib eye steaks or hot dogs, you chose your household expenses. And you were the one who chose not to take early retirement. You chose to stay until the bitter end. Years ago, you began making choices that led you to your present situation. And you walked right down the middle of the path every step of the way.”

Truman paused. He pulled out his handkerchief and wiped his brow. David’s head was hanging, his chin on his chest. “David, look at me,” the president said. David’s eyes met his. “The words It’s not my fault! Have been symbolically written on the gravestones of unsuccessful people ever since Eve took her first bite from the apple. Until a person takes responsibility for where he is, there is no basis for moving on. The bad news is that the past was in your hands, but the good news is that the future, my friend, is also in your hands.”

The Traveler's Gift