Desegregation of

the armed forces

Who:
President Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United
States, serving from 1945 to 1953. President Truman was a
Democrat and was known for his support of civil rights,
including his decision to desegregate the armed forces.

What:
In 1948, President Truman signed Executive Order 9981, which
desegregated the armed forces. The order stated that "there
shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons
in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or
national origin." This was a significant step towards racial
equality in the military and helped pave the way for
desegregation in other areas of American society.

When:
President Truman signed Executive Order 9981 on July 26, 1948

Where:
The signing of Executive Order 9981 took place in the White
House in Washington D.C.

Why:
President Truman was an advocate for civil rights and believed
that desegregation was necessary to ensure that all Americans
were treated equally. He was also persuaded by the
experiences of African American soldiers during World War II,
who had fought and died for their country but were often
treated unfairly because of their race, such as The Harlem
Hellfighters.

How:
President Truman signed Executive Order 9981, which directed
the desegregation of the armed forces. The process of
desegregation was not always smooth, and there was
significant resistance from some members of the military.
However, Truman's leadership and commitment to civil rights
helped make progress in desegregation and set an important
example for equality in the United States.