Harry Truman

Missouri History Today December 26, 1972: Former President Truman Dies In Independence

When our editor toured the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum in Independence, she came away with a heightened appreciation for the only Missourian to serve as president of the United States. Here’s why you should visit, too.

This date in Missouri and U.S. history: The Show-Me State's Harry S. Truman was elected president.

First Daughter Margaret Truman was the featured soprano soloist with the St. Louis Symphony at Kiel Opera House. She received four curtain calls and sang two encores.

The Missouri Waltz was chosen as our state song. It was used as Truman's theme song but it was reported that he had a strong dislike for the tune and the words.

At the St. Louis Union Station, Harry Truman displayed the famous newspaper headline, "Dewey Defeats Truman."

Harry Truman was making remarks to a crowd in Trenton, Missouri, from the rear platform of his train as a part of his whistle-stop campaign tour.

President Harry Truman did away with segregation in the military with executive order 9981, making it a model for the rest of society.