On Saturday, October 29, 1948, three days before the 1948 presidential election, candidate Truman visited Harlem. Until this time, Truman had studiously avoided addressing the issue of civil rights. A Truman speechwriter openly acknowledged that the campaign had been advised to tone down discussions on civil rights and ignore the racist rhetoric of Gov. Strom Thurmond and his Dixiecrats.

While desegregating the military had been enacted, Black voters in large Northern cities and California wanted to hear a compelling reason to vote Democratic instead of for the progressive Republican candidate, Thomas Dewey. Truman’s team believed that Truman should keep everyone guessing until the end of the campaign and then make a significant statement on civil rights.

Truman was trailing badly in the polls and had hoped that the Black vote could push him past Dewey. Meanwhile, the Dixiecrats, who had left the Democratic National Convention, had assembled in Jackson, Mississippi, and were agitating against Truman's intentions to dismantle segregation and potentially force whites-only American institutions to admit Black members.

When Truman arrived in Harlem, he was greeted by a massive crowd of Black clergymen and dignitaries. Despite some advisors' warnings to avoid discussing civil rights due to the tight race in certain states, Truman’s speech in Harlem was significant for its time. The venue - a park renamed Dorrance Brooks Square to honor a Black soldier killed in World War II (136 and St. Nicholas) - was a huge success and Truman's speech resonated with the crowd.

Truman emphasized the need to secure civil rights for every American, regardless of race, religion, or national origin. He voiced a vision of an America where every citizen had equal opportunities for jobs, education, and voting rights.

Only 12 years later, memories of this historic visit of Truman was (understandably) eclipsed by John F. Kennedy’s campaign visit to Harlem’s storied Theresa Hotel and the rock-star greeting and impact he had on Harlem.

As Seen In Harlem (I Love This Ad)

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