Harry S. Truman

33rd President of the United States, American statesman of the 20th century

4 quotes in the MindQuotes library.

About

Harry S. Truman (1884-1972) was the 33rd President of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953. He assumed the presidency upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt and made critical decisions, including the use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending World War II. He initiated the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, and the creation of NATO to counter Soviet expansion. He desegregated the armed forces and recognized the State of Israel. Before his presidency, he was a U.S. Senator from Missouri and chaired the Truman Committee against wartime waste.

Key milestones

1945Becomes president after Franklin D. Roosevelt's death and authorizes the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
1947Announces the Truman Doctrine, providing military aid to Greece and Turkey.
1948Signs Executive Order 9981 desegregating the U.S. armed forces and recognizes the State of Israel.

Themes

Cold WarCivil rightsForeign policyCrisis leadershipDemocracy

Sources: trumanlibrary.gov · trumanlibrary.gov

“Well, I wouldn't say that I was in the great class, but I had a great time while I was trying to be great.”

— Harry S. TrumanTheme · Success

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“A President either is constantly on top of events or, if he hesitates, events will soon be on top of him. I never felt that I could let up for a single moment.”

— Harry S. TrumanTheme · Leadership

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“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. TrumanTheme · History

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“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. TrumanTheme · Personal Development

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