Bess Truman, American wife of Harry S. Truman, 35th First Lady of the United States (d. 1982)
Elizabeth Virginia Truman (née Wallace; February 13, 1885 – October 18, 1982) was the wife of President Harry S. Truman and the first lady of the United States from 1945 to 1953. She also served as the second lady of the United States from January to April 1945.
She had known her future husband since they were children, attending the same school in Independence, Missouri. As First Lady, she did not enjoy the social and political scene in Washington, and at the end of her husband's term in 1953, she was relieved to return to Independence. She currently holds the record of longest-lived First Lady and longest-lived Second Lady, at 97 years, 247 days. She died in Independence in 1982.
1885Feb, 13
Bess Truman
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Events on 1885
- 24Apr
Buffalo Bill's Wild West
American sharpshooter Annie Oakley is hired by Nate Salsbury to be a part of Buffalo Bill's Wild West. - 2May
Léopold II of Belgium
The Congo Free State is established by King Léopold II of Belgium. - 3Jun
Big Bear
In the last military engagement fought on Canadian soil, the Cree leader, Big Bear, escapes the North-West Mounted Police. - 6Jul
Rabies
Louis Pasteur successfully tests his vaccine against rabies on Joseph Meister, a boy who was bitten by a rabid dog. - 29Aug
Internal combustion
Gottlieb Daimler patents the world's first internal combustion motorcycle, the Reitwagen.