World War, 1939-1945

President Harry S. Truman holding a copy of the Japanese Peace Treaty he has just signed at the White House. Donor: Hennepin County Historical Society

President Harry S. Truman presents the Congressional Medal of Honor to one of 15 members of Army Ground Forces in ceremonies on the South Lawn of the White House. The recipients are seated bottom left, guests are seated right, and a crowd of photographers is on the left. From: Beth Gore.

President Truman smiles over a battery of microphones following his nationwide radio address on the Potsdam Big Three Conference and the war in the Pacific. This is a superior 11 x 14 glossy print showing an interesting bust over the President's head.

President Truman poses with his speech at the microphone in the White House after he had finished his announcement to the nation that Allied armies had won unconditional surrender of German forces on all fronts. This is a candid 11 x 14 pose.

President Truman poses for photographers after the V-E Day broadcast announcing the surrender of Germany to the nation from the White House in this 11 x 14 photo.

President Harry S. Truman in the Oval Office, reading to the assembled members of the press his announcement of the Japanese surrender, officially signaling the war's end. Behind the President seated just to his right are Admiral William D. Leahy, Presidential Chief of Staff, Secretary of State James F. Byrnes and directly behind them, Attorney General Tom Clark. Journalist Vivianne Lovell of Agence France-Presse stands in the striped dress on the left.

A photo of Private Thomas E. Carr, moving supplies forward over the Ledo Road in North Burma on a mule. The photo is inscribed: "To Vice President Harry S. Truman. To show that Missouri 'Products' help build the Ledo Road. Regards and Best Wishes, Lewis A. Pick, Brig. Gen., U.S.A.". This photo was sent to Vice President Harry S. Truman by Lewis A. Pick through Congressman Mike Mansfield.

Former Attorney General Francis Biddle, representing the United States on the International Military Tribunal that will try 20 former Nazi leaders at Nuremberg, Germany, works at his desk in preparation for the war crimes trial. From: Beth Gore.

Bernard M. Baruch today called for the removal or destruction of all German heavy industry to "break once and for all Germany's dominance of Europe." Appearing before the Senate Military Affairs Committee, Baruch is here shown seated, right, while Senator Elbert D. Thomas of Utah, left, chairman of the committee, and Senator Harry Flood Byrd, Virginia, standing, talk to him prior to the opening of the hearing. From: Beth Gore.

The Trapp Family Singers in Stowe, Vermont. The photo accompanied a letter from Maria Von Trapp to President Harry S. Truman saying that the family prayed for Truman twice a day. It also discusses the family's musical history, fleeing Austria, and their move to the United States.