April 12, 1945: And The Nation Moved On
from a bookcase and Chief Justice Harlan Stone gave the oath of office to Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States. The clock on the mantle below Woodrow Wilson's portrait showed 7:09 P.M. Eastern War Time.
The man from Missouri went on to prove he had the wisdom and courage to fill the office of President so shockingly thrust upon him. Of course, that was unknowable on the sad night of April 12, 1945. Americans went to bed with heavy hearts, but with the knowledge their Constitution worked flawlessly, even in the midst of a world at war.
And the nation moved on.
Sources: FDR's Last Year, Jim Bishop; The Dying President: Franklin D. Roosevelt 1944-45, Robert H. Ferrell; Truman: A Centenary Remembrance, Robert H. Ferrell; No Ordinary Time,Doris K. Goodwin; Off The Record With FDR: 1942-45, William D. Hassett; Memoirs, Harry S. Truman; Complete Presidential Press Conferences of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The copyright of the article April 12, 1945: And The Nation Moved On in U.S. History 1929-1945 is owned by Earl Rickard. Permission to republish April 12, 1945: And The Nation Moved On in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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