Franklin D. Roosevelt suffered a cerebral hemorrhage while vacationing at his home in Warm Springs, Georgia. He had been a significant figure in American politics and had led the nation through the Great Depression and the majority of World War II. Roosevelt's health had been a matter of concern for some time, with the strain of war and governance visibly taking a toll on him. After spending a week resting at Warm Springs, he appeared exhausted at a conference on April 12, where he posed for a portrait. Shortly after, he fell ill and died that afternoon, leading to a national period of mourning.

Harry S. Truman, who had only recently taken office as vice president following the 1944 election, was quickly notified of Roosevelt’s death. Truman, a relatively unknown figure on the national stage, was not privy to many of the diplomatic discussions and military strategies that had taken place under Roosevelt. His elevation to the presidency came as a surprise to many, especially with the country nearing the conclusion of the war in Europe. On April 12, at 7:09 PM, Truman took the oath of office in the White House, swearing to uphold the duties of the presidency under the unique circumstances of the nation’s grief.

Truman's presidential term would immediately become defined by critical decisions regarding World War II, including discussions about the use of atomic weapons and the post-war future of Europe. His administration would soon be tasked with navigating the shift from wartime mobilization to peacetime reconstruction, shaping international relations that would define the United States' role on the world stage. The transition from Roosevelt to Truman represented not only a shift in leadership but a significant turning point in American and global politics after a prolonged period of conflict.