Curated Video
Election of 1948: The Underdog
The suspenseful 1948 presidential election exposed the consequences of flawed polls, as Truman's astonishing victory upended expectations and forever changed how pollsters make predictions.
Curated Video
The Story of the CIA
CIA agents make it their business to be intelligent. They may know more about you than you think. But what do you know about the CIA?
Hip Hughes History
The Decision to Drop the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The decision to drop the Atomic bomb in Japan to end WWII are controversial to this day. Explore the decision that Harry Truman had to make and then make up your own mind.
Espresso Media
Garwin: The Importance of Science and Education in a Complex World
Garwin part 1/11: In this video, Richard Garwin reflects on the significant events and challenges of the atomic age, including the Cuban Missile Crisis and the threat of nuclear proliferation. He emphasizes the importance of education...
The Recount
The First U.S. President To Throw Out an MLB Pitch
Attending a baseball game in 1910, President William Howard Taft threw a ceremonial pitch from the stands, kicking off the Washington Senators’ season. Since then, every sitting commander in chief, save Jimmy Carter and Donald Trump, has...
Curated OER
From World War to Cold War
From peace at the end of World War II, straight back to war. This resource details the changes in leadership in the Soviet Union post World War II. From the brief attempt at democracy, to the Bolshevik Revolution, and finally to Vladimir...
C-SPAN
Bell Ringer: The Power of the Supreme Court to Check the President
Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer is considered to be one of the Supreme Court's landmark cases because it demonstrated the checks and balances inherent in the three branches of the United States government. A short video sets...
C-SPAN
Bell Ringer: Special Sessions of Congress: Truman's Turnip Day Speech
One of the checks and balances built into the United States Constitution, is the president's ability to call a special session of Congress. A bell ringer, designed to stir interest in this check that president has on the legislative...
Curated Video
President Truman 1949 Inauguration
The Chicago Daily Tribune, along with many Americans, did not expect Harry S. Truman to win the 1948 presidential election. Yet on January 20, 1949, he took the oath of office and addressed the nation as the 32nd president of the...
Have Fun With History
Have Fun With History: Harry S. Truman
This video from the Smithsonian tells about the life and presidency of Harry S. Truman. Includes links to related sites. [23:05]
Harry S. Truman Library and Museum
Harry S. Truman Library & Museum: Truman Presidential Audio Collection
Hear some of President Truman's speeches, including the surrenders of Germany and of Japan, from the Harry S. Truman digital archive. Other speeches cover post-war issues such as price controls, and the opening of the United Nations.
PBS
Pbs: The American Experience: Harry S. Truman
PBS offers a comprehensive look at the presidency of Harry S. Truman. Content includes a very detailed biography, a look at his domestic and foreign politics, enduring legacy, and more. Primary sources supplement the content, and a...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: 60 Second Presidents: Harry S. Truman
60-Second Presidents video [1:19] on Harry S. Truman. Students learn why President Truman was disliked when he left office and why he will be remembered. Includes fact sheet and background information handouts for students.
Have Fun With History
Have Fun With History: Truman Presidential Library Opening
Truman's presidential library is unveiled. In attendance are former president Herber Hoover, Eleanor Roosevelt, Chief Justice Earl Warren, Lyndon Johnson and more.
Have Fun With History
Have Fun With History: Harry Truman Assasination Attempt
It is not widely remembered today that there was an assasination attempt on the life of President Truman, who was living at Blair House while the White House was undergoing reconstruction. Two Puerto Rican nationalists planned to rush...
Have Fun With History
Have Fun With History: President Harry Truman
Brilliant color footage takes us through the journey of Harry S. Truman from boyhood to presidency. This film's purpose was to bolster confidence in this president who was thrust into office upon the death of Franklin Roosevelt. [21:00]
Charles I. Kelly and Lawrence E. Kelly
For Truman, One Problem After Another in His First Months in Office
Voice of America audio narration about Harry S. Truman and the challenges his administration faced during the first few months of his term. Students can listen to audio and follow along with accompanying transcript.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Strobe Talbott on the Beginning of the Cold War
Former Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott discusses how the Cold War developed after post WWII peace summits and the strategic patience that stopped the expansion of Soviet communism. [6:36]
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Talbott on Containment and the Diplomatic Toolbox
Former Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott discusses how the United States implemented the policy of containment and the transatlantic alliances that emerged during the Cold War. [6:23]