Beschreibung:

Truman, Harry S.World War II Victory Proclamation inscribed and signed ("Harry Truman") as thirty-third President
Broadside on wove paper (520 x 355 mm, sight). Headed "By the President of the United States | A Proclamation | The Allied Armies, through Sacrifice and Devotion and with God's Help, have Wrung from Germany a Final and Unconditional Surrender," printed in two columns in roman and gothic type, 3-line gold initial, alternating red and blue paragraph initials, dated at the foot of first column "Washington, D.C., May 8 1945." Matted, framed and glazed (732 x 569 mm); not examined out of frame. An unusually bright and clean example.
Inscribed to the first female cabinet member Frances Perkins: "This was a happy birthday for me. I hope this will be a happy Christmas for you. 12/25/45 To Hon. Frances Perkins."
Frances Perkins was the first women ever to serve in a presidential cabinet, as the U.S. Secretary of Labor from 1933 to 1945, the longest in that position. She was instrumental to the New Deal coalition, designed the Social Security Act of 1935, and worked on redistributing labor to women during World War II, when the men were at war. Her election as Secretary of Labor also made her the first woman to enter the presidential line of succession. This proclamation was presented to Perkins shortly before she finished her tenure as Secretary of Labor, on 30 June 1945. Following this, she was asked by President Truman to serve on the United States Civil Service Commission, which she did so until 1953.
On Tuesday 8 May, 1945, President Truman read this proclamation at a press conference at the White House, on his 61st birthday. It announced that, after almost six years of conflict, the allies had finally achieved victory over Germany. However, he warned that the Pacific War continued to rage (and would do so for another three months). Truman thanked God and set aside 13 May 1945 as a day of prayer and thanksgiving.
"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. … Our Armies of Liberation have restored freedom to these suffering peoples, whose spirit and will the oppressors could never enslave. … I call upon the people of the United States, whatever their faith, to unite in offering joyful thanks to God for the victory we have won and to pray that He will support us to the end of our present struggle and guide us into the ways of peace. 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. …"
Sitting in his office before reading the proclamation, President 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.” As he was reading the proclamation, he stopped after certain passages to comment: "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." Having proclaimed the day of prayer, he added, "And it's exceedingly fitting that it is Mother's Day, too."
A wonderful association with a political trailblazer.