Key Facts
- Term
- 1945--1953
- Party
- Democratic
- Vice President
- Alben W. Barkley
- First Lady
- Bess Truman
- Home State
- Missouri
- Born
- 1884
- Died
- 1972
Biography
Truman authorized the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and oversaw the beginning of the Cold War.
Key Events & Accomplishments
- Authorized the atomic bombings (August 1945)
- Implemented the Marshall Plan
- Created NATO (1949)
- Desegregated the U.S. military by executive order (1948)
Election Results
| Year | Opponent | Electoral Vote | Popular Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Thomas Dewey, Strom Thurmond | 303-189-39 | +4.5% |
Notable Quotes
“The buck stops here.”
Did You Know?
- The famous "Dewey Defeats Truman" newspaper headline is the most iconic media error in American history.