Happy Birthday Harry S Truman, 126 years old today!

[emad]

Born on this day in 1884 in Lamar, Missouri Harry S Truman became the 33rd President of the USA.

And on this day in 1945 he announced in a radio address that Nazi Germany's forces had surrendered in World War II, and that "the flags of freedom fly all over Europe."

That's VE - Victory in Europe - Day back here in Blighty.

Of the many events and accomplishments in his life his unrelenting support for government health care is a matter of great pride.

And it was at the Truman Library in 1965 that President Lyndon B Johnson signed the Medicare Bill and gave Truman and his wife Bess the first two Medicare cards.

They're still on display at the Truman Library & Museum in Independence, Missouri where ceremonies honoring his life of public service are underway today.

Up to 1997 Truman's birthday was celebrated in the UK with official commemorative events. Nowadays Dems Abroad and the US embassy conduct their own 8 May celebrations.

For all those who knew him and his lovely wife Bess our hearts and minds today are in Independence where official commemorative events are taking place honoring Harry's life.

Democrats everywhere can be truly proud of this humble farmer's son for his life of public service and dedication to peace, democracy and freedom.

[whyverne]

1. I have some issues with Harry S

But I would argue that even to this day, no president had more sh*t on his plate.

[trumad]

2. He was a great man.

[emad]

3. A huge chunk of Truman cold war archive material is still missing from the public domain.

Especially an extraordinary official honor given by the UK to the Trumans' daughter Margaret and another that the former First Lady herself received.

I'm guessing that the citations that accompany these won't be published until after the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

The Truman extended family has been very circumspect in terms of self-promotion!