Discover the Only President Born in Missouri

The men who have become President of the United States all come from different backgrounds and places. For example, Gerald R. Ford was the only one born in Nebraska, but Franklin D. Roosevelt was one of five born in New York. When it comes to Iowa, Harry S. Truman is the one president born in the Show-Me State. Let’s explore the only president born in Missouri and where he was raised. We’ll also include some facts about President Truman and the places around the country where he lived.

The Only President Born in Missouri

There are an astonishing eight presidents born in Virginia, but just two were born in Texas. And when it comes to Missouri, only one president was born in the Show-Me State. Harry S. Truman was born in Lamar, MO, on May 8, 1884. Truman served as the 33rd President from 1945 to 1953. He lived in Lamar, MO until he was 10 months old, and then moved to various places before settling in Independence, MO.

About Lamar, MO

Lamar, MO was founded in 1856 and named after the 2nd President of the Texas Republic, Mirabeau B. Lamar. Lamar is located in Barton County, of which it is the county seat, and currently has a population of 4,200.

Other Places Where Truman Lived

Harry Truman lived in several places around the country. Let’s take a look at each of those places.

• Harrisonville, MO: Moved to a farm here with his family when he was 10 months old.
• Belton, MO: Moved here in 1887 when he was three years old. He also lived here from 1906 until 1917 when he enrolled in the war.
• Independence, MO; At age six, his family established roots here where he attended Independence High School. He returned here and lived with his wife, Bess, and daughter, Margaret. He also returned here after his presidency.
• Kansas City, MO: Attended college and held various jobs before World War I.
• Washington D.C.: He lived here during his time as U.S. Senator from Missouri, as Vice President, and as President.

About Harry S. Truman

Harry S. Truman lived in Missouri all his life, except his time in the military during World War I and when he was a U.S. Senator, Vice President, and President. He was the only president in the 20th century (since William McKinley) who never attended university. Truman started his political career as a county judge, however. In 1934, he ran for the U.S. Senate and won, getting reelected in 1940. President Franklin D. Roosevelt chose him as his running mate in the 1944 Election and Truman became Vice President in 1945. When Roosevelt died suddenly on April 12, 1945, he assumed the presidency.

Truman Presidency’s Major Achievements

Throughout his presidency, Harry S. Truman enacted legislation that impacted many people throughout the country. Let’s take a look at President Truman’s highlighting legislation in his presidency.

• Dropped two atomic bombs — one on Hiroshima and the other on Nagasaki in August 1945 to effectively end the war with Japan. Japan surrendered immediately after.
• Helped in establishing the United Nations, along with Eleanor Roosevelt.
• Created the Truman Doctrine, which ensured Soviet (and Communist) containment policy.
• Created the Marshall Plan, which was a plan to rebuild Europe after the war.
• After Soviet troops blocked outside access in West Berlin, he ensured military airlifts to provide food and other supplies to the city for months. 
• Truman recognized the State of Israel on May 14, 1948, in which Israel declared itself a nation 11 minutes later.
• Aided South Korea during the Korean War, which ensured the boundaries that are still set today.

Harry S. Truman After His Presidency

After Truman left the presidency, he returned to Independence, MO with his wife, Bess. He wrote his memoirs to much critical success. The former president was also a visiting lecturer in many universities and colleges throughout the country. He waded into politics regularly throughout his time as a former president.

Truman established the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum in Independence, MO, which in turn prompted action from Congress to create funds for presidential museums and libraries. President Truman and his wife were the first two people to receive Medicare cards upon the passage of the Medicare bill in 1965. Harry S. Truman died on December 26, 1972, in Independence, MO, aged 88.

Conclusion

And there you have it, the only president born in Missouri was Harry S. Truman. He served in one of the most consequential times in American history. Coming out of World War II, he laid out the plan carried by FDR. He was influential on the world stage as well as domestically. Even though he left office with an extremely low approval rating, he is now regarded as one of the best presidents in history.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Alexander Lukatskiy/Shutterstock.com