President Harry S. Truman and the Potsdam Conference: July 17

July 17 is a world-changing day in U.S. presidential history — it’s the date in 1945 when President Harry S. Truman arrived in Germany for the Potsdam Conference.

This was a very big deal because World War II had just ended in Europe. President Truman traveled across the ocean on a ship to meet with the leaders of Great Britain and the Soviet Union. Together, they had to decide how to rebuild the world and make sure a war like that never happened again.

For Truman, this was his first time meeting these world leaders as President. He had only been in the job for a few months, but on this day, he showed the world that he was ready to lead. The decisions made during these meetings helped shape the map of Europe and the future of many different countries.

Who Was Harry S. Truman? Quick Bio for Kids

Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States (1945–1953). He was a plain-speaking man from Missouri who lived by a very famous motto: "The Buck Stops Here."

Before he was in the White House, Truman had some very regular jobs:

• The Farmer: He spent many years working on his family's farm, driving a team of horses and planting crops.
• The Shopkeeper: He once owned a store that sold hats and clothes for men.
• The Piano Player: He loved music and could play the piano very well. He even practiced at 5:00 a.m. every morning!
• A Dedicated Letter-Writer: He wrote thousands of letters to his wife, Bess, telling her all about his day and how much he missed his family.

Truman was known for being honest and for making very difficult decisions with courage.

What Happened on July 17, 1945?

• The Meeting at the "Little White House": Since the city of Berlin was damaged from the war, the leaders met in a nearby town called Potsdam. Truman stayed in a house that people nicknamed the "Little White House."
• Meeting the "Big Three": Truman met with Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin. They sat around a large round table to discuss how to bring peace back to the world.
• A Secret Message: On this very day, Truman received a secret telegram telling him that a powerful new invention—the atomic bomb—had been successfully tested back in America.
• Looking to the Future: The leaders worked on plans to help Germany start over with a new government and to help the people who had lost their homes during the war.

Fun Facts About Harry S. Truman and July 17 for Kids

• The "S" in His Name: Did you know that Harry S. Truman's middle name is just the letter "S"? His parents couldn't decide which grandfather to name him after, so they just picked a letter!
• A Fast Walker: Truman was famous for his "power walks." He walked so fast that the reporters trying to interview him would often get out of breath!
• A Special Gift: While at the conference, Truman played the piano for the other leaders to show them a bit of American culture.
• The "Independence": That was the name of the President's airplane. He was one of the first presidents to use a plane to travel to important meetings all over the world.

Why July 17 Is Important in Presidential History

This day shows us that being a leader often means working with people from other countries to solve big problems. By traveling to Potsdam, Harry S. Truman proved that the United States was committed to helping the world find peace. It teaches us that even when things are messy and difficult, we have to sit down and talk to find a way forward. July 17 reminds us that a President's job is not just to lead America, but to be a good neighbor to the whole world.

What do you think?

• If you had to sit at a big table with leaders from all over the world, what is the first "rule for peace" you would suggest?
• Do you want to learn more about Truman's famous morning walks or see what the "Little White House" in Germany looked like?