In Office Just Weeks, President Harry Truman Laments the Death of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Ponders His New Responsibilities

On April 12, 1945, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died in Georgia. Harry Truman, along with an entire nation, was stunned by Roosevelt’s unexpected passing. Truman, in particular, had little contact with Roosevelt since becoming FDR’s third Vice President in January 1945.

Truman had spent his time as Vice President in his constitutional role of presiding over the Senate, and on that day a call came from the White House to go immediately to its Pennsylvania Avenue entrance. Truman was met by Eleanor Roosevelt and told the President had died. When Truman asked what he could do for Mrs. Roosevelt, she replied, “Is there anything we can do for you? You are the one in trouble now.” Within minutes, the White House press agency sent out an official bulletin at 5:47 p.m., that President Roosevelt had died two hours earlier from a cerebral stroke. Chief Justice Harlan Stone was then called to the White House to issue Truman’s presidential oath of office in the Cabinet Room.

At 7 p.m., Truman convened his first Cabinet meeting, which was a short session. But after the meeting, War Secretary Henry Stimson pulled President Truman aside to tell him about a secret project about a “new explosive of almost unbelievable destructive power.” Two weeks later, Truman would be fully briefed on the Manhattan Project and the United States atomic program.

One hour later, the White House issued a brief statement from President Truman. “The world may be sure that we will prosecute this war on both fronts, east and west, with all the vigor we possess, to a successful conclusion,” Truman said. The White House also said that a conference in San Francisco to organize the United Nations would be forthcoming.

Only twelve days later, on April 25, 1945, as Allied victory in World War II drew close, representatives of the member states met in San Francisco to write a treaty for a postwar UN that could arbitrate international disputes without conflict and prevent another world cataclysm. President Truman said to the opening of the conference, “The world has experienced a revival of an old faith in the everlasting moral force of justice. At no time in history has there been a more important Conference, or a more necessary meeting, than this one in San Francisco, which you are opening today. On behalf of the American people, I extend to you a most hearty welcome.” On June 26, fifty nations signed the new United Nations Charter,

Typed letter signed, on White House letterhead, Washington, May 22, 1945, to Hugh Moore, president of the Dixie Cup Company and Americans United for World Organization, lamenting FDR’s death and saying he has high hopes for the conference forming the UN.

“I am indeed grateful for your letter of April thirteenth with its pledge of patriotic support in these difficult times. It means much to me to have this assurance as I enter upon the responsibilities so suddenly thrust upon me by the death of my lamented predecessor.

“It is a source of strength and courage also to know that AMERICANS UNITED will work unceasingly to the end that San Francisco may fulfill the aspirations of our people for a true charter of human freedom and security.”

A moving letter by the new president on his assumption of office, and showing his interest in international cooperation.