On March 6, 1947, a rainy Thursday afternoon, President Harry Truman became the first sitting president to visit Waco, Texas, marking a memorable day in the city’s history. The visit, though dampened by rain, brought thousands of citizens to the streets and culminated in a momentous ceremony at Baylor University.
The President arrived at Waco’s Municipal Airfield at 9:55 a.m. aboard the C-54 Sacred Cow, the first aircraft purpose built for transporting the president, where he was greeted by a welcoming committee that included Senator Tom Connally and Baylor officials who had been waiting in their vehicles due to the steady rainfall. A motorcade transported the President through a nine-mile route to Baylor University, with Governor Beauford Jester and Mayor Bush accompanying him. Determined citizens lined the streets, many braving the elements without protection to catch a glimpse of the President.
At Baylor, the ceremony, originally planned for the outdoor Union Bowl, was moved indoors to Waco Hall due to the weather. The hall was elaborately prepared, with flags draping the stage and security personnel stationed throughout the venue. By 10:30 a.m., the hall was nearly filled to capacity with invited guests and pass holders. During the ceremony, President Truman received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Baylor University. The occasion was particularly significant, as Senator Tom Connally, a veteran alumnus, described it as a “red-letter day” in Baylor’s history.
The President used this platform to deliver a crucial policy speech focusing on international trade and peace. Speaking over a global radio network, Truman made a passionate appeal for lowering trade barriers between nations, warning that economic isolation could lead to another depression. In his address, Truman strongly criticized isolationist policies, characterizing them as a path to “mental and moral bankruptcy.” He emphasized the vital connection between free global commerce and international peace, arguing that economic cooperation was just as crucial as political relationships. The presidential visit concluded at 2:14 p.m. when Truman departed aboard the Sacred Cow.
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