Truman Day is celebrated on May 8th in honor of President Harry S. Truman in Missouri, his birth state. Events include commemoration ceremonies, educational activities, school visits from Democrat officials, wreath-laying, and the presentation of the Harry S Truman Public Service Award. Fundraising events may also be held to the benefit of Truman’s Democratic Party.
On May 8, 1884, Truman was born in Lamar, Missouri. Truman’s poor eyesight prevented him from pursuing college, working as a clerical worker and timekeeper instead before serving in World War I. During his efforts in France, Truman was promoted to officer and then again to battery commander.
In 1922, he next took on the role of judge, serving in the County Court of Jackson County, Missouri. He moved on to serve in the U.S. Senate as a Democrat. There, his preparedness committee gained recognition for revealing poor resource management within the military.
Truman became Vice President to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who died of a stroke in 1945. Truman served two presidential terms, known for leadership during World War II, creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and the beginning of the Cold War. He also led the country through the Korean War and the First Indochina War. He died at age 88 in 1972 of pneumonia.
