President Harry S. Truman

President Harry S. Truman

By Tom Kirvan

It’s a day when the world entered the nuclear age in 1945 with the bombing of Hiroshima, a cataclysmic event that leveled the Japanese port city, hastened the end of World War II in the Pacific Theater, and arguably forever changed the face of war.

The order to drop the atomic bomb, code-named “Little Boy,” was given by President Harry S. Truman, who only months earlier ascended to the presidency following the death of his predecessor, Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

In announcing the bombing of Hiroshima, Truman issued a press release, proclaiming, “Sixteen hours ago an American airplane dropped one bomb on Hiroshima and destroyed its usefulness to the enemy. …. If they do not now accept our terms, they may expect a rain of ruin from the air, the like of which has never been seen on this earth.”

Three days later, a similar atomic bombing devastated the Japanese city of Nagasaki, effectively bringing an end to World War II.

President Harry S Truman

Truman, who was re-elected in 1948, utilized the campaign slogan, “Give ‘em hell, Harry!” in his bid for the Oval Office, aptly reflecting his sometimes-fiery disposition. As such, he was a veritable quote machine. A sampling:

“America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand. It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”
“There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know.”
“If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.”
“You want a friend in Washington? Get a dog.”
“If you can’t convince them, confuse them.”