Harry S. Truman Presidential Library

The third in a series on presidential libraries focused on Harry S. Truman’s life and career using rarely seen film and sound recordings, as well as letters, documents and artifacts collected from the stacks and vaults of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri. Library officials guided a tour of the library and responded to telephone calls and electronic mail. Series historian and consultant Richard Norton Smith participated from the studio in Washington, D.C.

President Truman’s post-presidency working office, generally closed to visitors, was shown as it has been preserved. Highlighted film, sound, documents and artifacts featured during the program included his handwritten White House diaries, filmed outtakes of Truman from a 1960s television series on his presidency, and a “Person to Person” television interview of Harry and Bess Truman by their daughter Margaret. Other material focused on President Truman’s relations with Franklin Roosevelt, Stalin, Douglas MacArthur and Congress; the decision to drop the atomic bomb and to pursue war crimes trials after World War II; the 1948 presidential campaign; civil rights; and Truman’s views on his post-presidency.

C-SPAN’s Presidential Libraries: History Uncovered is a 12-week series airing live on location from the 12 presidential libraries spanning Herbert Hoover to Bill Clinton. close