World War II -- Truman Library

CONTINUING THE FIGHT:
Harry S. Truman and World War II

So that there can be no possible misunderstanding, both Germany and Japan can be certain, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that America will continue the fight for freedom until no vestige of resistance remains!

-- Harry S. Truman in his April 16, 1945, address before Congress
following the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

President Truman arrives in Antwerp, Belgium aboard the cruiser Augusta, on his way to the Big Three meetings at Postdam. He is followed by secretary of state James Byrnes.		When Harry S. Truman assumed the Presidency on April 12, 1945, victory in World War II was close, but not at hand. Key events over the next five months included the surrender of Germany, the Potsdam Conference of the Big Three Allies, the decision to drop the Atomic Bomb, and the surrender of Japan and conclusion of the war. To coincide with the exhibits World War II in Posters and George C. Marshall: Soldier of Peace and programs such as Patriots of War, the Library drew on its rich collection of archival materials to assemble this collection of World War II-era sound recordings, documents, photographs and eyewitness accounts.

B29 bombers in flight. This Boeing aircraft was the culmination of U.S. bomber design and served solely in the Pacific theater. The Enola Gay, a B29, was used to deliver an atomic bomb on Hiroshima.		"Voices of World War II: Experiences From the Front and at Home," an examination of how America experienced the war, is a project of the Presidential Studies Collection partnership between the University of Missouri-Kansas City's Miller Nichols Library and the Truman Library. An overview of the Truman Library's records on the War and its immediate aftermath can be found in the the Special Subject Guide to World War II. The Truman Library's parent agency, the National Archives and Records Administration contains the World War II records of the Executive and Judicial Branches of the government. Among Presidential Libraries, those of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Dwight D. Eisenhower possess rich materials on World War II.

The American document room at Nuremberg.		The Truman Library and the National Archives also create educational materials for use by teachers and students. Examples of those available for World War II include: Powers of Persuasion: Poster Art of World War II The War Relocation Authority and the Incarceration of Japanese-Americans During World War II The Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb "A Date Which Will Live in Infamy": The First Typed Draft of Franklin D. Roosevelt's War Address George Marshall Exhibit Teaching Activities Audio speeches online: (You will need Real Player to hear these speeches.) Listen to Truman's address before Congress, April 16, 1945 Listen to Truman's address broadcast to the Armed Forces, April 17, 1945 Listen to Truman's broadcast to the American people announcing the surrender of Germany, May 8, 1945 Listen to Truman's radio address to the American people after the signing of the terms of unconditional surrender by Japan, September 1, 1945
For questions, e-mail truman.reference@nara.gov Back to Archival Reference

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The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum is one of thirteen Presidential Libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration.

500 W. US Hwy. 24. Independence MO 64050
truman.library@nara.gov;
Phone: 816-268-8200 or 1-800-833-1225;
Fax: 816-268-8295.