People call Franklin Delano Roosevelt one of the greatest U.S. presidents. He led America through World War II. But when FDR died, Vice President Harry S. Truman had to step into his shoes. And Truman brought the war to its end.
Truman was born in Lamar, Missouri. He served in the military during World War I, fighting as an officer in France. After returning home, Truman became a judge in 1922. In 1935, he became a U.S. senator and served Missouri for 10 years. Roosevelt then selected Truman as his new running mate for the election of 1944.
On January 20, 1945, FDR began his fourth presidential term. But Truman served as his vice president for only 82 days. FDR died suddenly on April 12. Truman became America’s new leader — and had big decisions to make. World War II ended in Europe shortly after Truman took office, but it was still raging in Japan and the Pacific.
America asked Japan to surrender, but Japan did not agree. So in August 1945, Truman sent planes to drop powerful atomic bombs on Japan. He ordered the attacks to force the country to give up. Truman wanted to end the war quickly (and save American lives). Many thousands of people died — both soldiers and civilians. Today, many people still talk about whether Truman made the right decision.
Japan finally surrendered, and World War II ended. Along with other countries, Truman signed a document to create the United Nations. Americans — and others around the world — wanted the group to keep peace. The organization still works for peace today.
In 1948, Truman ran for president again — and won! However, many people thought he would lose to a man named Thomas Dewey. Even some newspapers wrongly reported that Truman lost! One headline said, “Dewey Defeats Truman.” The photo of Truman holding the newspaper while smiling is now famous.
Truman did not run for president again. He left office in 1953 and returned to Missouri. Truman wrote his memoirs and died at the age of 88 in 1972.
Updated August 18, 2020, 5:02 P.M. (ET)
By Liz Lane
