Truman Signed Victory Proclamation 1945 German Surrender

Broadside Signed, “Harry S Truman”, as President, 1p, 15" x 22", Washington, May 8, 1945. Colored broadside is adhered to a mat of the same size. Original 1945 Christmas card adhered at the bottom left. Original red, white, and blue ribbon adhered at the bottom right. Document has uniform toning and minor spotting; Truman's large signature is lightly faded; else, very good plus condition. Rare in this presentation, which was gifted by the Trumans to close friends and associates. 

President Truman read this proclamation at a news conference held in his office at the White House on Tuesday morning, May 8, 1945. His wife and daughter, members of his Cabinet, high ranking United States and British Army and Navy officials, and Congressional leaders were grouped in chairs around his desk. Before reading the proclamation, Truman said, “This is a solemn but glorious hour. General Eisenhower informs me that the forces of Germany have surrendered to the United Nations. The flags of freedom fly all over Europe. It’s celebrating my birthday, too -- today, too.” Reporters responded with shouts of “Happy Birthday, Mr. President.”

May 8, 1945 was President Truman’s 61st birthday, his first as President following the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt just 26 days earlier. As he was reading the proclamation, Truman stopped after certain passages to comment. After “The victory won in the West must now be won in the East,” he said, “I want that emphasized time after time, that we are only half through.” After “the tyranny of military cliques that once called us soft and weak,” Truman commented, “I would like to know what the Germans think about that now.” After proclaiming the day of prayer, he added, “And it’s exceedingly fitting that it is Mother’s Day, too.”

The proclamation 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. The victory won in the West must now be won in the East. The whole world must be cleansed of the evil from which half the world has been freed. United, the peace-loving nations have demonstrated in the West that their arms are stronger by far than the might of dictators or the tyranny of military cliques that once called us soft and weak. The power of our peoples to defend themselves against all enemies will be proved in the Pacific was as it has been proved in Europe. For the triumph of spirit and of arms which we have won, and of its promise to peoples everywhere who join us in the love of freedom, it is fitting that we, as a nation, give thanks to Almighty God, Who has strengthened us and given us the victory."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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