Superb signed item, a large, elaborately-printed text of President Harry Truman's May 8, 1945 Proclamation declaring a day of prayer to honor the fallen in World War II, signed by Truman at the conclusion. It reads, in part: '...The Allied armies, through sacrifice and devotion and with God's help, have wrung from Germany a final and unconditional surrender. The western world has been freed of the evil forces which for five years and longer have imprisoned the bodies and broken the lives of millions upon millions of free-born men. They have violated their churches, destroyed their homes, corrupted their children, and murdered their loved ones. Our Armies of Liberation have restored freedom to these suffering peoples, whose spirit and will the oppressors could never enslave. Much remains to be done...I also call upon my countrymen to dedicate this day of prayer to the memory of those who have given their lives to make possible our victory...' Truman read this proclamation on May 8, 1945 ('Victory in Europe Day' or 'VE Day') and proclaimed May 13, 1945 to be a day of prayer. It is signed by Truman in blue ink, slightly faded as is always the case with this piece. The single 21.75 x 14.75 in. printing is decorated with accents of red, blue and gilt.