Q 01/05

Harry S. Truman was which number president of the United States?

A) 31st

B) 33rd

C) 32nd

D) 34th

Answer · why

B) 33rd

He served from 1945 to 1953, taking over from Franklin D. Roosevelt and handing off to Dwight Eisenhower.

Q 02/05

What does the 'S' in Harry S. Truman stand for?

A) His uncle Samuel

B) The Shipp family name

C) His grandfather Solomon

D) Nothing in particular

Answer · why

D) Nothing in particular

His grandfathers were Anderson Shipp Truman and Solomon Young, so the lone letter nodded to both, a common Southern practice at the time.

Q 03/05

In which town was Truman raised, and where he later returned to live after the presidency?

A) Independence

B) Grandview

C) Harrisonville

D) St. Joseph

Answer · why

A) Independence

He was born in Lamar but the family moved to Independence when he was six so he could attend Presbyterian Sunday School.

Q 04/05

Which instrument did young Truman practise at five o'clock every morning?

A) Piano

B) Cornet

C) Cello

D) Violin

Answer · why

A) Piano

He was later famously photographed playing it at the National Press Club with actress Lauren Bacall perched on top.

Q 05/05

Why was Truman refused an appointment to West Point?

A) He was too short

B) A heart murmur

C) Flat feet

D) Poor eyesight

Answer · why

D) Poor eyesight

At his later National Guard induction he read 20/50 in one eye and 20/400 in the other; he reportedly passed a second Army eye test by memorizing the ...