#Harry and Bess Truman

[todaysdocument]

Letter from Bess Wallace to Harry S. Truman

Collection HST-BWT: Bess W. Truman PapersSeries: Harry S. Truman Correspondence FilesFile Unit: March 16, 1919

Sunday, March 16, 1919 Dear Harry, According to the Star's latest information you are on your way to Le Mans and I'm wondering if any of these last letters will ever be delivered. It seems to take them long enough to get to you even when postal authorities know where you are exactly - and if you begin to move again, what will happen to the letters? Was mighty glad to get your letter of Feby. 18. Hadn't heard for such an age was afraid you were sick! Mary was worrying too, so I wrote her a card at once telling her I had had my letter in case she didn't get one in the same mail. You may invite the entire 35th Division to our wedding if you want to. I guess it's going to beyours as well as mine. I guess we might as well have the church full while we are at it. I rather think it will be anyway whether we invite them or not, judging from a few remarks I've heard. What an experience the review etc. must have been. I'll bet D Battery looked grand and no wonder they led the Division. I couldn't help spilling that little bit of "info" to C. C. I hope you don't mind. Were you at all overcome at greeting the Prince of Wales? He doesn't mean any more to me than the orneriest doughboy but I know I'd choke if I had to address him. It was splendid you got to shake hands with Pershing. I'll be just about ready alrighty when you come and then we can settle the last details. Mary said Mr. Morgan had a job waiting for you [full letter and transcription at link]

[freewalkers]

A Review - When Harry Met Pablo

The following is my Goodreads review of an interesting historical period of change in the art world and in politics during the Cold War period. Truman, who was responsible for using the Atom bomb to end the war and in the act destroyed thousands of lives, meets Picasso who was a staunch pacifist and communist supporter. Truman sees “modern art” as “ham and eggs art” but recognizes Picasso’s…

[usnatarchives]

A Culinary Journey Through Presidential History 🥪🍰🍽

Delving into the culinary history of the White House is a fascinating exploration of taste and tradition. This article embarks on a delicious journey through time, highlighting five remarkable recipes from the kitchens of past U.S. Presidents and First Ladies. These recipes not only offer a taste of history but also reflect the diverse palates and influences that have graced the Presidential table.

Bess Truman's Bing Cherry Mold

Bess Truman, known for her skill and style in the kitchen, contributed a variety of recipes that satisfied many. Among these, the Bing Cherry Mold stands out. This dessert, a perfect blend of sweetness and texture, reflects the simplicity and elegance of the Truman era. Truman had specific dietary preferences, famously disliking onions, and maintaining a healthy diet, but this dessert was a family favorite, indicating a balance between health and indulgence.

Rosalynn Carter's Plains Cheese Ring

Rosalynn Carter's Plains Cheese Ring is a savory delight that hails from the Southern culinary tradition. This cheese appetizer, named after the Carter's hometown in Georgia, is a testament to Rosalynn's commitment to bringing a touch of home to the White House. Its rich, creamy texture paired with the tang of sharp cheddar and the sweetness of strawberry preserves, offers a unique and memorable flavor experience.

Laura Bush's Cowboy Cookies

First Lady Laura Bush’s Cowboy Cookies are a testament to her Texas roots. These chunky, flavorful cookies, packed with oats, nuts, coconut, and chocolate chips, offer a hearty taste of the American Southwest. They were notably a part of her husband's Presidential campaign, symbolizing warmth and hospitality.

Dwight D. Eisenhower's Apple Pie

President Eisenhower was not only a leader but also an enthusiastic cook, particularly known for his apple pie. His version of this classic American dessert is said to be a delightful mix of sweetness and spice encased in a perfectly flaky crust. This pie represents Eisenhower's love for simple, home-cooked meals, a contrast to his high-profile public life.

Gerald Ford's Red Flannel Hash

Gerald Ford's Red Flannel Hash is a colorful, comforting dish that combines cooked beets, potatoes, and corned beef. This dish, with its vibrant red hue and hearty ingredients, is a nod to Ford's Midwestern roots and a symbol of the simple, wholesome American fare.

www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/document/0126/1489765.pdf

Exploring these recipes is not just about the flavors and ingredients; it's a journey through the different eras of American history, each dish telling a story of the time and the people in the White House. From the elegance of Bess Truman's desserts to the rustic charm of Laura Bush's Cowboy Cookies, these recipes offer a delectable glimpse into the nation's past, one plate at a time.

Read more:

[victusinveritas]

February, 1945, Vice President Harry Truman played piano at a show for servicemen. Actress Lauren Bacall joined him on stage. “Bess was furious. She told him he should play the piano in public no more.” In her memoir, By Myself and Then Some, Bacall remembered the day this way: “The club was jammed that day – Vice President Truman was coming over. When he was introduced – after me! – he sat down to play the piano, which had conveniently been placed onstage. Charlie, who was standing to one side of the floor, edged toward me on the corner of the stage and said, ‘Get on the piano.’ I felt a bit silly … but I did it. Cameras started flashing. The Vice President and I exchanged a few words, and the resulting pictures hit the front pages all over the world in a few days, Charlie Einfeld was worth every cent and more that Warner paid him. Truman was not wild about the picture after he became President, but I loved it.” Truman may not have been wild about the photo, but Bess was livid. She found it demeaning of a man of Truman’s stature, and didn’t let him forget it. Fifteen years later, when Truman made a post-presidential visit to the Club, he said how wonderful it was to be back at the Club, even though “some smart press fellow” had “caused me a hell of a lot of trouble at home.”

[wildcreativemastermind]

Reading Truman’s letters to his wife and I saw something interesting

I sit here in this old house and work on foreign affairs, read reports, and work on speeches-all while listening to the ghosts walk up and down the hallway and even right in here in the study. The floors pop and the drapes move back and forth-I can just imagine old Andy and Teddy having an argument over Franklin. Or James Buchanan and Franklin Pierce deciding which was the more useless to the country. And when Millard Fillmore and Chester Arthur join in for place and show the din is almost unbearable.

source: Dear Bess: the Letters from Harry to Bess Truman, pg 515-16(letter date: June 12, 1945)

I would totally watch a show or read a story that’s just the ghosts of dead presidents haunting the White House, it could be pretty funny.

[valkyries-things]

BESS TRUMAN // FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES

“She was the wife of President Harry S. Truman and the First Lady of the United States from 1945 to 1953. She also served as the second lady of the United States from January to April 1945. At 97 years, 247 days, she remains the longest-lived first and second lady. As first lady, Bess avoided social obligations and media attention whenever possible, and she made regular excursions to her home in Independence. Her influence on her husband's presidency came about in their private conversations, as he would consult her about most major decisions during his presidency. She was also prominent in his reelection campaign, making regular appearances for crowds as he toured the United States.”

[dertaglichedan]

A presidential historian said during an interview over the weekend that one of the main driving forces behind President Joe Biden’s decision to run for re-election was his wife, Jill Biden.

Douglas Brinkley, author of “The Unfinished Presidency,” told CBS News’ “Face The Nation” on Sunday that Jill Biden has done the exact opposite of what other first ladies have done.

He noted that both former Presidents Harry Truman and Lyndon B. Johnson decided to leave office because their wives told them they didn’t want to serve a second term.

“She is the vital part. Dr. Jill Biden is it,” he said. “You know, if you go back to 1952, Harry Truman could have run, and he didn’t. Why? Well, the Korean War and, you know, other reasons. But — but Bess wanted to go back to Independence [Missouri] — she didn’t like it in Washington.”

“If you cut to ’68, Lyndon Johnson was – quit in March of ’68 and people will say because of Walter Cronkite. No,” he continued. “The big thing was his health was bad, he had a bad heart, he was smoking, high blood pressure, tension, and Lady Bird Johnson didn’t want to stay in. And she wanted – let’s go back to Texas and convinced Johnson to step down.”

“That’s not the case with Jill Biden. She likes power. She wants to stay. She wants some sense of revenge,” he continued. “She teaches in Virginia Community College. This milieu around our building here, this is her home. And the idea of relinquishing it all after you’ve taken the slings and arrows of the last years of attacks, and at the last minute, just when you get all the delegates you’re going to say, I’m going to open it up to a bunch of people — it’s very childish when you read those kind of reports.”

[wikiuntamed]

On this day in Wikipedia: Saturday, 17th February

Welcome, fáilte, welcome, आपका स्वागत है (āpakā svāgata hai) 🤗 What does @Wikipedia say about 17th February through the years 🏛️📜🗓️?

17th February 2021 🗓️ : Death - Seif Sharif Hamad Seif Sharif Hamad, Tanzanian politician (b. 1943) "Seif Sharif Hamad (22 October 1943 – 17 February 2021) was a Tanzanian politician who served as the First Vice President of Zanzibar and as Party Chairman of ACT Wazalendo.He was the secretary-general of the opposition Civic United Front (CUF) party and First Vice President of Zanzibar until 18..."

Image licensed under OGL v1.0? by Foreign and Commonwealth Office

17th February 2017 🗓️ : Death - Michael Novak Michael Novak, American Roman Catholic theologian (b. 1933) "Michael John Novak Jr. (September 9, 1933 – February 17, 2017) was an American Catholic philosopher, journalist, novelist, and diplomat. The author of more than forty books on the philosophy and theology of culture, Novak is most widely known for his book The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism (1982)...."

Image by State Dept. Photo

17th February 2014 🗓️ : Death - Wayne Smith (musician) Wayne Smith, Jamaican singer (b. 1965) "Wayne Smith (born Ian Flemmings Smith, born 5 December 1965 – died 17 February 2014) was a Jamaican reggae and dancehall musician best known for his 1985 hit "Under Me Sleng Teng", which is regarded as the track which initiated the digital era of reggae. ..."

17th February 1974 🗓️ : Event - Bell UH-1 Iroquois A U.S. Army soldier stole a Bell UH-1 helicopter (pictured) and landed it on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C. "The Bell UH-1 Iroquois (nicknamed "Huey") is a utility military helicopter designed and produced by the American aerospace company Bell Helicopter. It is the first member of the prolific Huey family, as well as the first turbine-powered helicopter in service with the United States..."

Image licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0? by Airwolfhound from Hertfordshire, UK

17th February 1924 🗓️ : Birth - Margaret Truman Margaret Truman, American singer and author (d. 2008) "Mary Margaret Truman Daniel (February 17, 1924 – January 29, 2008) was an American classical soprano, actress, journalist, radio and television personality, writer, and New York socialite. She was the only child of President Harry S. Truman and First Lady Bess Truman. While her father was president..."

Image licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 nl? by Noske, J.D. / Anefo

17th February 1821 🗓️ : Birth - Lola Montez Lola Montez, Irish-American actress and dancer (d. 1861) "Eliza Rosanna Gilbert, Countess of Landsfeld (17 February 1821 – 17 January 1861), better known by the stage name Lola Montez (), was an Irish dancer and actress who became famous as a Spanish dancer, courtesan, and mistress of King Ludwig I of Bavaria, who made her Gräfin von Landsfeld (Countess of..."

Image licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0? by Antoine Samuel Adam-Salomon

17th February 🗓️ : Holiday - Christian feast day: Janani Luwum (Anglican Communion) "Janani Jakaliya Luwum (c. archbishop of the Church of Uganda from 1974 to 1977 and one of the most influential leaders of the modern church in Africa. He was arrested in February 1977 and died shortly after. Although the official account describes a car crash, it is generally accepted that he was..."

[simonloweblog]

From Truman to Trump

In just 64 years the Presidency of the United States and by osmosis, America's sociological values have been transformed.

Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President  (1945-1952) was born into a poor Mid-Western farming family in Missouri. He served his country during World War l as a Field Artillery officer and continued in the Organized Reserve Corps until he retired in 1953.

He was a  short, bespectacled  man who after a slow burning rise up the political ladder, became the Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate for FDR's final election campaign in 1945. Many said that he was chosen simply because he was the least contentious candidate, but with FDR's 4th term assured and being in ill health, it was inevitable that he would become the next President of the United States on FDR"s death in April 1945.

By all accounts he was a shy modest man who was awkward with almost no experience of the "fairer" sex when he married Bess, a local lass after a lengthy courtship. She was an important part of his life from the time they first met in Sunday school at the First Presbyterian Church in Independence, Missouri, in 1890. He was six years old; she was five. Their happy union lasted 53 years till his death in 1972.

His persona reflected the values of early 20th Century America; that of the church going middle classes who were fair minded, hard working and patriotic.

Contrast him with the 45th President, Donald J.Trump, born with a silver spoon in his mouth. The son a hard- nosed Property developer, who somehow managed to evade the draft and service in Vietnam,

Trump was a New York Democrat until he decided he would fare better as a Republican. Acknowledged as a man of few steadfast principles and mainly a self-serving ruthless business man, who on more than one occasion run his companies into bankrupcy, he has been married three times and been the subject of countless lawsuits, claims of sexual harassement and legal challenges. Uniquely he has been the only President to face impeachment on two occasions. 

Trump's leadership style does not respect the established rule of law. He claims to champion law and order but challenges the Judiciary at every opportunity. He seeks not to work with his adversaries or indeed anyone who has a different opinion, but instead tries to ride roughshod over any form of opposition.

How different his principles to those of Truman who was a courageous leader. After only five months in office he took the difficult decision to drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima to bring a speedy end to the war in Japan and who fired Americas most popular five star General, Douglas Macarthur because he proposed dropping multiple nuclear bombs on north Korea.

The underlying principles of US society and indeed of many countries around the world no longer seems to value hard work and self-sacrifice for the good of the majority. Trump epitomises the "me, me, me" culture of the today. His leadership pursued the principle of, "I'm alright Jack" the exact opposite of those practised by Truman. 

Both FDR and Truman championed a capitalist economy whilst at the same time ensuring that the rich paid their fair share of taxes thus nurturing a fairer distribution of the fruits of the American economy whereas Trump oversaw an ever widening gap between rich and poor.  

I am sure that many in the US harken back to the halcyon days of the 33rd President when they were led by a man who embodied the best of America and when the USA was admired and the envy of people around the world viz. the 45th who was and remains nothing more than a reality TV showman whose narcissism and self-promotion continues to fracture American society and degrade the US in the eyes of the world.

[tigermike]

70 years ago today, former President Harry Truman and his wife, Bess, packed their Chrysler and began a road trip to New York City. They had no Secret Service protection.

[todaysdocument]

Pumpkin pie and Perfection Salad were on the menu at the Truman White House on 12/20/1947. 

Collection HST-BWT: Bess W. Truman Papers

Series: White House Menus Files

File Unit: October 1 - December 31, 1947

Transcription:

[stamped] HARRY S. TRUMAN LIBRARY NARA [/stamped]

Saturday

December 20

1947

LUNCHEON

Bouillon

Chipped Beef on toast [handwritten] 8 - Sm. Din. Rm. [/handwritten]

Buttered Peas [handwritten] lots of coffee [/handwritten]

Casserole of Squash

Cinnamon Rolls

Macaroon Whip

DINNER

Grapefruit

Pork Roast

Pineapple Garnish

Baked Sweet Potatoes

Broccoli

Hollandaise Sauce

Perfection Salad

Pumpkin Pie

Cheese

[keywestlou]

FLEAS AT TRUMP’S DINNER TABLE IN MAR-A-LAGO

FLEAS AT TRUMP’S DINNER TABLE IN MAR-A-LAGO - https://keywestlou.com/fleas-at-trumps-dinner-table-in-mar-a-lago/Guess who came to dinner last tuesday at Mar-a-Lago? Fleas. The host Donald Trump, guests anti-Semite Kanye West and white supremacist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes. The hopeful 2024 Republican Presidential candidate does not care whose company he keeps. A gathering of fleas does not concern him. The Wall Street Journal described West and Fuentes as "Donald Trump's bad dinner guests." The Journal stated his guests reflected Trump's "trademark of bad company and bad judgment." What concerns me is that Trump "could" win should he run. Look at the garbage he will bring with him into the White House. Obviously, there have been Presidents of good character and bad. Trump obviously one of the bad. Harry Truman the opposite end of the spectrum. One of the good. Truman and Key West bonded. Truman made 11 trips to Key West covering 175 days. On this day in 1949 for example, the President arrived with wife Bess and daughter Margaret for a 3 week vacation. My readers cover the earth. At the moment, an Orlando pediatric nurse is on a mission to war ravished countries in western Africa. Mending the sick and disabled. Placing herself and others in danger in order to help others. Al Cotoia responded to my capon blog of yesterday. We are contemporaries age wise. He never heard of a turkey when he was young. The holiday bird was a "capon." Key West weather has been outstanding. In the 80's. No humidity, no heat. Comfortable. Yesterday turned a bit. It was hot! You could feel the heat. So much for today. I am back to working on Growing Up Italian. Someday I may publish it. Be well.

[ancestralfindings]

AF-677: Bess Wallace Truman: America’s First Ladies, Part 33

Bess Wallace Truman was the 33rd First Lady of the United States. The wife of Harry Truman, Bess never wanted the publicity and public scrutiny that came with being the First Lady, but she did what was expected of her with grace and politeness. Here is her story...

Podcast Show Notes: https://ancestralfindings.com/americas-first-ladies-33-bess-wallace-truman

#Genealogy #AncestralFindings #GenealogyClips

Check out this episode!

[citizensaul]

The Miracle that is Israel

It may have taken a mere 3500 years for the Nation of Israel created by King David combining the 12 tribes into a nation with Jerusalem as it's Capitol when the U.N which took over the mandate for a land called Palestine when theydecided to act. Two distinct people  lived there  Arabs and Jews with the Jews known as Isrealites or Hebrews living there  several hundred years before the arrival of Muslim Ottomans from Turkey in the 7th Century AD  when they invaded Judea & Samaria and drove the Israelites out. In  1947 after the brutal murder of six million of Europe's Jewish population\ in what is known as the Holocaust the U.N offered to partition the remaining land left of Palestine after chunks were cut off to create Lebanon by the French who held the mandate and Jordan by the British who held the mandate. In May of 1948 David Ben Gurion accepted  the U.N offer while the Arab leaders refused and he declared the Independent Democratic State of Israel which President Harry Truman recognized despite opposition from the U.S State department and others in his administration and out including his anti-semite Mother in law,Bess's mother. Took a lot of courage and  then pressure from his old business partner who went to the White House and pleaded with Truman after it seemed he would bow to Former General and Secretary of State George Marshall who told Truman he would resign if he recognized a Jewish state. Fast forward 74 years of Israel's independence and she truly is a modern Miracle which Ronald Reagan may very well have alluded to although we know he was speaking of the U.S when he said" That Shiny City on a Hill". Israel is that Shiny City,A light unto the nations as she continues her mission of Tikun Olam, repair the world as a first rate nation in every aspect of her being,every industry,education,health care etc. Now she has become the only nation with a formidable military capability that is truly ALL INCLUSIVE having added a unit in it's IDF ,.Israel Defense forces for people with varied disabilities as well as skills."Special in uniform" was created so that every citizen eligible could  don the uniform and serve the country they love. The pride when they wear the IDF uniform shines on their faces as well as the faces of members of their family. That is part of the modern day Miracle of Israel ,another country I also love and wish a Shana Tova ,yasher koach,AM YISROEL CHAI ! 

[romanceyourdemons]

oh hang on the x in lax (as in the airport) comes from the railway station code for los angeles where the x meant it was where the line ended. it all makes sense now........

[richardnixonlibrary]

#OTD 3/21/1969 President and Mrs. Nixon visited the Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence, Missouri. The Nixons presented the Trumans with a piano President Truman played during his time in the White House. President Nixon played "The Missouri Waltz". Although President Truman was associated with the song his entire political career, he wasn't actually fond of it. (Image: WHPO-0563-19)