Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman, the 33rd president of the United States, led the country during World War II and the early Cold War, opposing Soviet expansionism and defending against communist invasion.
President
May 8, 1884
Taurus
December 26, 1972
88
Lamar, Missouri
Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, served from 1945 to 1953 and played a crucial role in ending World War II. He made the contentious decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which ultimately led to the conclusion of the war. Truman also implemented the Marshall Plan to help rebuild Western Europe and ordered the integration of the armed forces. Additionally, he oversaw the creation of NATO and navigated the United States through the early years of the Cold War, countering Soviet expansionism. Truman’s leadership extended to the Korean War, where he sent U.S. forces to combat a communist invasion. His memoir, “Memoirs by Harry S. Truman,” continues to be a popular read.