Harry S. Truman (1884–1972) was an American Democratic-party political leader who served as the 33rd president 1945–53. He oversaw the end of World War II, including the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the new challenges of the Cold War.
Born in Lamar, Missouri, Truman served in the U.S. Army during World War I and served as a U.S. senator from 1934 until 1945. Franklin D. Roosevelt selected Truman as vice president in 1944. In April 1945, with the imminent end of World War II, he became president when Roosevelt died.
After World War II, Truman led America’s evolution from wartime to peacetime economy. He introduced the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe, sanctioned the Berlin airlift, established the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO,) and authorized U.S. military participation in the Korean War.
Truman retired to private life in 1952 and published two volumes of memoirs—Year of Decisions (1955) and Years of Trial and Hope (1956.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Harry S. Truman
I got very well acquainted with Joe Stalin, and I like old Joe! He is a decent fellow. But Joe is a prisoner of the Politburo.
—Harry S. Truman
Men make history, and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.
—Harry S. Truman
Topics: Leadership
Whenever the press quits abusing me I know Im in the wrong pew. I don’t mind it because when they throw bricks at meIm a pretty good shot myself and I usually throw em back at em.
—Harry S. Truman
They said we were soft, that we would not fight, that we could not win. We are not a warlike nation. We do not go to war for gain or for territory; we go to war for principles, and we produce young men like these. I think I told every one of them that I would rather have that medal, the Congressional Medal of Honor, than to be President of the United States.
—Harry S. Truman
It’s a recession when your neighbor loses his job; it’s a depression when you lose your own.
—Harry S. Truman
Topics: Jobs, Unemployment, Depression
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were political enemies, but they became fast friends. And when they passed away on the same day, the last words of one of them was, The country is safe. Jefferson still lives. And the last words of the other was, John Adams will see that things go forward.
—Harry S. Truman
Topics: Friendship
Shortly after I was elected, in Nineteen Hundred and Forty-eight, I made up my mind that I would not seek another term. I have seen a great many men in public life, and one of their besetting sins is to stay in office too long. Nowadays, in such organizations as the Army and the civil service and industry, there is compulsory retirement, but no such regulations prevail in politics. I decided that I would not be guilty of this common failing, and that I should make way for younger menand the Constitutional Amendment Number twenty-two, the two-term amendment, does not apply to me. The people responsible for the 22nd amendment thought I was not worth considering and that Id be beaten in 1948 so I was exempted.
—Harry S. Truman
I’ve said many a time that I think the Un-American Activities Committee in the House of Representatives was the most un-American thing in America!
—Harry S. Truman
As you get older, you get tired of doing the same things over and over again, so you think Christmas has changed. It hasn’t. It’s you who has changed.
—Harry S. Truman
Topics: Holidays
People are very much wrought up about the Communist bugaboo.
—Harry S. Truman
If you can’t stand the heat, you’d better get out of the kitchen.
—Harry S. Truman
It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.
—Harry S. Truman
If you can’t convince ’em, confuse ’em.
—Harry S. Truman
The only thing new in this world is the history that you don’t know
—Harry S. Truman
Topics: One liners, History
Politics is a fascinating game, because politics is government. It is the art of government.
—Harry S. Truman
Some of the Presidents were great and some of them weren’t. I can say that, because I wasn’t one of the great Presidents, but I had a good time trying to be one, I can tell you that.
—Harry S. Truman
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.
—Harry S. Truman
Topics: Discipline, Live
On May 14 I was informed that the Provisional Government of Israel was planning to proclaim a Jewish state at midnight that day, Palestine time, which was when the British mandate came to an end. I decided to move at once and give American recognition to the new nation. I instructed a member of my staff to communicate my decision to the State Department and prepare it for transmission to Ambassador Austin at the United Nations in New York. About thirty minutes later, exactly eleven minutes after Israel had been proclaimed a state, Charlie Ross, my press secretary, handed the press the announcement of the de facto recognition by the United States of the provisional government of Israel.
—Harry S. Truman
You know, the greatest epitaph in the country is here in Arizona. Its in Tombstone, Ariz. , and this epitaph says, Here lies Jack Williams. He done his damndest. I think that is the greatest epitaph a man could have. Whenever a man does the best he can, then that is all he can do; and that is what your President has been trying to do for the last 3 years for this country.
—Harry S. Truman
Topics: Effort
When contemplating General Eisenhower winning the Presidential election, Truman said, Hell sit here, and hell say, Do this! Do that! And nothing will happen. Poor Ikeit wont be a bit like the Army. Hell find it very frustrating.
—Harry S. Truman
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.
—Harry S. Truman
Topics: Peace, Understanding
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Herbert Hoover American Statesman
Franklin D. Roosevelt American Head of State
Charles G. Dawes American Diplomat, Politician
Lyndon B. Johnson American Head of State
Gerald Ford American Head of State
Hubert Humphrey American Head of State
Ronald Reagan American Head of State
Richard Nixon American Head of State
John F. Kennedy American Head of State
Dwight D. Eisenhower American Head of State