Two Presidents died on this day. Modest men from the Midwest, each had been VP for just a few months before ascending to the top job. Harry Truman, the 33d POTUS (1945-53), died in 1972; Gerald Ford, the 38th (1974-77) in 2006 
President for just three months when Franklin D. Roosevelt died, Truman became president just as World War II was ending in Europe. He made the grave decision to drop two atomic bombs on Japan, which brought the Pacific war to an end /2
Truman oversaw the Marshall Plan, Berlin Airlift, Korean War and creation of NATO—the North Atlantic Treaty Organization—a pillar of global peace and order for nearly 3/4 of a century - but is now threatened /3
The last president w/out a college degree, Truman was known for his honesty and accountability. He kept this famous sign on his Oval Office desk which said "The Buck Stops Here.” He gave credit to others when things went right, but took the blame when they didn't (Photo/WWR)
Truman left office deeply unpopular, but is today considered (per a 2017 @CSPAN survey of historians) the sixth greatest president. Best qualities: "Crisis Leadership," and "Pursued Equal Justice for All." Worst: "Public Persuasion" and "Relations with Congress"
As for Gerald Ford who died this day in 2006, he was the only person in American history to become both Vice-President and President without ever being elected to either office—and is thus sometimes called the “Accidental President.” /1
A longtime Congressman from Michigan, Ford became VP when President Richard Nixon selected him to replace Spiro Agnew, after Agnew resigned in Oct. 1973. Ford became president ten months later when Nixon resigned in the Watergate scandal /2
In his first speech after being sworn in, Ford told Americans that “Our long national nightmare is over. Our constitution works.” A month later he pardoned Nixon, causing critics to charge that they made a deal. Ford denied it, but it contributed to his loss in the 1976 election
Ford is considered the 25th best President (2017 @CSPAN survey of historians). Best quality: "Pursued Equal Justice for All." Worst: "Vision/Setting an Agenda."
Great honor for WWR's Paul Brandus to have spoken at the Truman Presidential Library in Independence, MO, Ford Library in Ann Arbor, MI and Ford Museum in Grand Rapids. All are wonderful places to visit
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis - no stranger to death - wrote this touching letter to Margaret Truman after hearing of the President's passing - this day in 1972
On This Day, 1973: Trying to set an example during a devastating energy crisis, President Nixon flew commercial to Los Angeles. Gas stations closed, speed limits lowered, Americans were urged not to hang Christmas lights. The administration considered seizing Mideast oil fields
