[Gutenberg 5039] • State of the Union Addresses

Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884- December 26, 1972) was the 33rd President of the United States. He succeeded President Roosevelt after his death. During World War I Truman saw combat as an artillery officer. After the war he was elected U S senator from Missouri. He became president after being Vice President for only 82 days. He had had little preparation by Roosevelt especially as it pertained to the Manhattan Project. Truman was quickly briefed on the Manhattan Project and authorized use of atomic weapons against the Japanese in August 1945. During the railroad strike of 1946 the railway workers turned down a proposed settlement, Truman seized control of the railways and threatened to draft striking workers into the armed forces. Truman was also a strong supporter of the formation of the United Nations. The State of the Union Addresses in this collection begin in 1946 and go through 1953.