Video: 'Democratic Convention Chicago 1944' (VP nomination at 1:32)

(Friday, July 21, 1944, evening CWT; during World War II) — Senator Harry S. Truman of Missouri was nominated tonight as the Democratic candidate for Vice President in the fifth and final session of the twenty-eighth national convention of the party, defeating incumbent Vice President Henry Wallace 1,031-105 after votes shifted on the second ballot.

Truman appeared immediately before the cheering delegates massed in the arena of the great hall to accept his “responsibility” as a running mate in President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s bid for a fourth term in the White House.

Wallace led Truman on the first ballot 429.5-319.5 votes but it was not enough to win the nomination.