An Important Milestone for All Branches of the U.S. Military

60 years ago today, on July 26, 1948, President Truman changed the armed services of the United States forever when he signed Executive Order 9981, which states:

"It is hereby declared to be the policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin."

Some historians regard this change as second only to the development of nuclear weapons in significance.

For more information about the chain of events that led to the signing of Executive Order 9981, please visit the Truman Presidential Library Website.