PRESIDENT HARRY S TRUMAN - PHOTOGRAPH UNSIGNED 02/24/1949 - HFSID 287927

HARRY TRUMAN
18½x11½ framed photo of Truman at a large gathering of Democrats, shortly after his stunning upset victory in the 1948 Presidential election
Photograph, unsigned. B/w, 18½x11½, matted and framed to 23¾x16¾. Harry S. Truman (1884-1972), a WWI veteran, one-time haberdasher, former U.S. Senator from Missouri (1935-1945), was elected Vice President for the fourth term of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944, and he assumed the presidency in April 1945, following the sudden death of FDR. During his first term, Truman ordered the use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki (August 1945), forcing a Japanese surrender and the end of WWII (1939-1945), announced his Fair Deal domestic program (September 1945) and issued the Truman Doctrine (March 1947), which guaranteed aid to any nation resisting Communist aggression. Following his stunning 1948 defeat of Republican challenger Thomas E. Dewey, Truman oversaw the foundation of NATO (April 1949) and sent troops to South Korea to repel the North Korean invasion (June 1950). After leaving the White House, Truman returned to Missouri, where he wrote his memoirs and was actively involved in the creation of the Truman Library. This photo, which shows Truman standing at the table of honor with other dignitaries, was taken at the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, February 24, 1949. The Jefferson-Jackson Dinner was a traditional one for Democrats, honoring the Presidents to whom the party traces its origins. Assembled Democrats had great cause for celebration on the occasion shown here. Truman himself had won a dramatic, come from behind, victory over Republican nominee Thomas E. Dewey, despite defections from both the left and right wings of the Democratic Party, which fielded rival candidates (Dixiecrat Strom Thrumond and Progressive Henry Wallace). The Democratic Party also regained control of both Houses of Congress. Not until 2010 would so many seats again change hands in Congressional contests. Frame chipped and worn at all edges and corners. Matt moisture stained and toned. Surface creases and stains on photograph.
Not framed in the Gallery of History style.