Harry S. Truman

Born in Lamar, Missouri, in 1884 and raised in Independence, Harry S. Truman worked a series of jobs before serving in World War I as an artillery officer. He later entered politics in Missouri and won election to the U.S. Senate, building a reputation for directness and hard work.

In 1945, after only a short time as vice president, he became president following Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death. Truman then faced enormous decisions at the close of World War II and during the early Cold War, including the use of the atomic bomb, the Marshall Plan, recognition of Israel, and the American response to the Korean War.

After leaving the White House, he returned to Independence, where his straightforward style and sense of responsibility remained central to his public image. He died in 1972, but he is still widely remembered for his blunt honesty, the sign on his desk reading “The buck stops here,” and the weighty choices of his presidency.