Video: 'Truman's Farewell To The American Nation (1953)'

(Thursday, January 15, 1953, 10:30 p.m. EST) — Harry S. Truman bade his official farewell tonight to the American people, whose national destinies he has had a large share in directing for almost eight years as President of the United States.

His official farewell was delivered during a half-hour radio and television chat from his office in the West Wing of the White House. It was a nostalgic farewell, not a sad one. He offered his best wishes to his successor, Dwight D. Eisenhower, who would take office on Jan. 20, 1953 (click here for more video and click below for extended audio).

Video: 'Farewell Address (January 15, 1953)'

He held out high hopes for a better and more peaceful world in the future. He saw an inevitable change in the Soviet regime.

The President asserted a restrained pride in the record of his stewardship. He said he would leave the White House with no regrets.

Video: 'The Story of Harry S. Truman' (Jan. 15, 1953, at 46:31)

“I have tried to give it everything that was in me,” he said. He repeatedly expressed gratitude to the American people for their support and asked them to give that same support to his successor.

“He will have mine and I want you to give him yours,” the President said.