Harry S. Truman's 1949 inaugural address

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Truman giving his inaugural address on January 20, 1949 Inaugural Truman 1949.jpg
Truman giving his inaugural address on January 20, 1949

Harry S. Truman's inaugural address, known as the Four Point Speech, was delivered by United States president Harry S. Truman, on Thursday, January 20, 1949.

In a world only recently emerged from the shadow of World War II, in which freedom and human rights seemed under threat from many sides, this was Truman's response.

He challenged both Democrats and Republicans to assist people around the world struggling for freedom and human rights; to continue programs for world economic recovery; to strengthen international organizations; and to draw on the expertise of the United States to help people across the world help themselves in the struggle against ignorance, illness and despair.

The four points

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