Video: 'The Presidents: Truman' (Dec. 25, 1945, at 2:25:15)

(Tuesday, December 25, 1945, 12:05 p.m. EST, Christmas Day) — U.S. President Harry Truman woke to find the capitol covered in ice and snow; his wife Bess and daughter Margaret were in their hometown of Independence, Missouri, and the President missed them.

Anxious to see his family, desperate to escape the turmoil in Washington, he ordered the Presidential plane to fly him home.

The plane, buffeted by sleet and snow, arrived an hour late.