Harry S. Truman

Truman authorized the use of atomic bombs against Japan. Hiroshima was bombed on August 6, Nagasaki on August 9. Japan surrendered on August 15, ending World War II. The bombings caused massive civilian casualties and initiated the nuclear age.

Truman declared that the United States would provide political, military, and economic assistance to all democratic nations under threat from authoritarian forces. This policy was first applied to Greece and Turkey, marking the start of the Cold War containment strategy.

Truman issued Executive Order 9981, mandating equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services regardless of race. This order began the process of racial integration in the U.S. military, a major step in the civil rights movement.

Truman signed the Economic Cooperation Act, implementing the Marshall Plan. This program provided over $12 billion in economic aid to rebuild Western European economies after World War II, stabilizing the region and countering Soviet influence.

After North Korea invaded South Korea, Truman committed U.S. forces under a United Nations mandate. The war lasted until 1953, ended in an armistice, and solidified the division of Korea. It also led to the militarization of the Cold War.