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Celebrate Truman Day in Missouri

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While Harry S Truman enjoyed his morning walks, his path to the White House was no leisurely stroll. The only president to hail from Missouri and to have a single initial for his middle name, Truman’s life was wrought with challenges, including a nearly paralyzing illness, rejection from West Point because of his eyesight, no funds for schooling and a failed business. Despite these challenges, he worked his way to the White House and gained notoriety for his time as president (1945 – 1953).

A large image of Harry Truman walking his "morning walk" spans a wall at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum.
President Truman loved his morning walks. He would use them to stay in shape and to mentally prepare for the day’s tasks.

What is Truman Day?

The anniversary is celebrated every year on May 8 (the date Truman was born in 1883) as an official Missouri state holiday. Post-presidency, Truman was a popular figure in Missouri. (Rallies in his honor have been taking place since at least 1966.) The day was officially declared a holiday in June 1967, and thereafter, Missouri Governor Warren E. Hearnes celebrated the first Truman Day in 1968 with an unveiled statue of the president at Culver-Stockton College. Over the decades, celebrations have continued and historic sites have been established in honor of the Show-Me State native.

Missouri Attractions Focused on Truman

Harry S Truman's home sits in the background behind a fence. The house is white, and there's a sign on the fence that reads "Truman's Home".
Visit the beautiful home Truman proudly lived in as a Missourian.
  • Harry S. Truman Library and Museum – Truman’s papers, personal artifacts and a replica oval office are part of the experience. Truman and his wife, Bess, are buried in the Library’s courtyard. This attraction recently underwent extensive renovations and now features new interactive exhibits.
  • Truman Home in Independence – Get an inside look at Truman’s life at his home, which is a National Historic Site. Truman lived here from 1919 until he died in 1972, spanning the years before, during and after his presidency.
  • Harry S Truman Walking Trail – Follow the president’s footsteps – quite literally – as you walk this 2.7-mile path around Independence. It’s said to have been Truman’s favorite walking route and today, it includes 43 informational plaques.
  • Harry S Truman Birthplace State Historic Site – See where it all began for Truman. Outside this small home, located about two hours south of Independence, stands an Austrian pine tree planted by Harry’s father on the day the future president was born.
  • Harry S Truman Reservoir – Known to most as Truman Lake, this massive body of water covers more than 55,000 acres and is a great destination for anglers seeking crappie and bass. A peninsula that juts into the lake is the site of Harry S Truman State Park, a popular destination for hiking, swimming and camping.

Truman Day Celebrations

  • Truman Day – A free event in Lamar, this event takes place at the Harry S Truman Birthplace State Historic Site. Admission is free and open to the public, and the day’s events include craft and food vendors, wagon rides, reenactments, live music, and kids’ games and crafts. Moreover, a birthday cake is provided for everyone to enjoy!
  • Commemoration of Truman’s Birthday – The Harry S. Truman Library & Museum in Independence hosts a wreath laying ceremony in the morning and offers free museum admission all day.
Displays featuring Harry S Truman and facts about his life fill the museum's space.
From humble beginnings to the highest point in office, Truman strived to be the “people’s President.” See the span of his life and how he accomplished what he did at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum.

Truman began with humble beginnings, faced challenges and failures, made a name for himself in public office, and concluded his career in the nation’s highest office. Attend a rally or visit one of the historical sites, and you’ll see why Missourians still commemorate Truman’s life – it’s an opportunity to acknowledge the profound influence one person from a small town can have on the world. To learn about other important figures in Missouri history, check out Famous Faces From Missouri.