Harry S. Truman Born in Missouri

Summary

Harry S. Truman was born on May 8, 1884, in Lamar, Missouri. After growing up largely in Independence, he worked in banking and farming before serving as an artillery officer in France during World War I. Truman later entered Missouri politics, became a United States senator, and gained national attention for chairing a committee investigating wartime defense spending. Elected vice president in 1944, he became the thirty-third president when Franklin D. Roosevelt died in April 1945. Truman authorized the use of atomic bombs against Hiroshima and Nagasaki, accepted Japan's surrender, supported the creation of the United Nations, announced what became known as the Truman Doctrine, backed the Marshall Plan, recognized Israel, and committed U.S. forces during the Korean War. His administration also desegregated the armed forces by executive order. He won an unexpected presidential election victory in 1948 and served until January 1953.