"75 Years Ago: The Integration of the US Military and Its Lasting Impact"

President Harry S. Truman's executive order to desegregate the US armed forces 75 years ago marked a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement, setting the stage for further advancements in the 1950s and 1960s. The order, which called for equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the military, was a significant contribution to the fight for racial equality. President Joe Biden will be a keynote speaker at a symposium commemorating the anniversary, where the legacy of Truman's decision will be examined by military leaders, elected officials, journalists, and historians.