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decades. The new president knew that something had to be done to quickly resolve this problem once and for all. It was not an easy decision to make, because it would endanger the lives not only of Japanese soldiers but also civilians as well. Nevertheless, on August 6-9,1945, President Truman authorized the dropping of the Atomic Bomb on two major Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The act would change the course of history forever, for now man for the first time was capable of destroying himself. Mankind had entered into the Atomic Age. The bombs were dropped, killing and maiming thousands, therefore bringing an end to the Second World War when the Japanese finally surrendered on August 14,1945. After that, a postwar period of relative peace began. The Truman administration had its notable moments, notably in 1948 when Truman desegregated the American troops, bring Black and White soldiers as comrades together for the first time in modern times. Also in that year Israel was recognized as an independent state by the Truman administration.

SECOND TERM (1949-1953)

Harry Truman ran for president in his own right in 1948 against New York Governor Thomas Dewey and won contrary to the otherwise mis-report that Dewey had won. Notable events during this period included the forming of NATO (National Atlantic Treaty Organization), the forming of the Communist State of China and the rise of the "Communist Scare" in which many Americans from various sectors were accused of being Communists, headed by Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthy

LATER LIFE AND DEATH

On January 20,1953, Harry Truman served his last day in the White House to be replaced by Dwight David Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States. He returned to his hometown of Independence, MO and became a respected citizen. He died on December 26,1972 at the age of 88.

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