Here are some quick facts, opinions, quotes and other information on President Harry S Truman.
Personal Information on Harry S Truman:
- Thirty-third President (1945-1953)
- Birthday: May 8, 1884 (Thursday)
- Birthplace: Lamar, Missouri
- Birthplace Website: President Harry S Truman Birthsite
- Zodiac Sign: Taurus
- Date of Death: December 26, 1972 (Tuesday)
- Place of Death: Kansas City, Missouri
- Place of Burial: Harry S Truman Presidential Library and Museum, Independence, Missouri
- Burial Website: Harry S Truman Presidential Library and Museum
- Presidential Library: Harry S Truman Presidential Library and Museum
- Cause of Death: lung congestion, heart irregularity, kidney blockage, digestive system failure, “afflictions of old age”
- Age: 88 years old
- Length of Retirement: 7280 days
Interesting Harry S Truman facts:
- The idea of a national health insurance plan dates back to the days of Teddy Roosevelt. It was part of his platform when he ran in 1912. But the real push for a national plan didn’t come about until Harry Truman was President and he pushed real hard to get one through Congress. He failed. It wasn’t until Lyndon Johnson became President that the nation would see a national health plan. On July 30, 1965, Johnson signed H.R. 6675 into law. We know that bill better by the name Medicare. In honor of Harry Truman, Johnson signed the bill into law in Truman’s hometown of Independence, Missouri. Former President Truman was Medicare cardholder number 1.
- Harry Truman died the day after Christmas in 1972, on the sixth floor of the Research Hospital and Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri, at 7:50 am. The room overlooked the recently completed baseball and football stadium of the Harry S Truman sports complex. Two red and green bells were hung in the window in his honor.
- When Truman was younger, he worked at the National Bank of Commerce in Kansas City, Missouri, with his brother Vivian. One of their co-workers, who lived in the same rooming house, was a fellow named Arthur Eisenhower. Arthur’s brother, Dwight, would serve as the Allied Commander, during World War II. General Dwight Eisenhower would serve under President Truman.
My favorite Harry S Truman Quotes:
If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.
It’s a recession when your neighbor loses his job; it’s a depression when you lose yours.
A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties.
You want a friend in Washington? Get a dog.
Harry S Truman blogs (click the title to go to that page):
Harry S Truman page on Presidential Crossroads (click “Harry S Truman” below):
Harry S Truman
Harry S Truman Blogs:
Retirement and the Former Presidents Act
Youngstown Sheet and Tube Workers Strike
Truman and Hoover working together on a food crisis
What similiar trait do I have with Presidents Harding to LBJ
Personal thoughts on Harry S Truman:
Strengths:
Strong backbone, Integrity, Determination, Focused
Weaknesses:
Stubborn, Hard headed at times
Presidential Greatness Scale (1-poor to 5-great):
Comments: 3.5
Truman probably deserves a higher than an average score because of his decision to bomb Japan during World War II. This would end the war quicker and lead to more of our soldiers returning home safely. He was also a strong leader who was never afraid to make a decision. On the flip side of this, that stubbornness would sometimes lead him to not listen to reason. He is also, in my opinion, the President who started using the Executive Privilege whenever things didn’t go his way. Each President since has been less and less afraid to use that “Privilege.”
Favorite Harry S Truman book:
Harry S Truman by Margaret Truman
Favorite Harry S Truman story:
In Margaret Truman’s book, she describes how her Dad and Mom (President and Mrs. Truman) were just driving down the road, by themselves, after he left the Presidency and people were waving and honking at them.
Most memorable Harry S Truman memory:
When my interest in the Presidents just started, it seems like all the former Presidents kept dying. Three Presidents (Eisenhower, Truman, and LBJ) died in the four year period of 1969-1973. In fact, when LBJ pasted away in January 1973, there were no former Presidents alive until Nixon resigned in August 1974. I remember Truman’s death.
Favorite Harry S Truman possession (see picture at the top):
A small, but quirky looking, Truman statue.
