Friday, December 26, 2008

HARRY TRUMAN, 33RD PRESIDENT - Harry Truman was sworn in as the 33rd President on April 12, 1945 after the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. He subsequently was elected President in his own right and sworn in on January 20, 1949. His was the first inauguration to be broadcast on television. Truman's greatest accomplishments as President were his successful conclusion of World War II and the creation of the United Nations. He was re-elected as President, but saw his popularity drop with the U.S. involvement in the Korean War and his firing of the popular General MacArthur. Over time, however, both historians and the public have increased their view of Truman, ranking him as one of our near-great Presidents.