When Harry S. Truman’s motorcade rolled up to Boys Town in June 1948, the president was leading a deeply segregated nation.
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A diverse group of boys helps hold up the welcome banner for President Harry S. Truman at Boys Town in 1948. The image from the Harry S. Truman Library is taken from video shot during the president’s visit.
President Harry Truman poses for photos with the Boys Town choir in June 1948. A former Creighton professor believes Boys Town may have been the nation’s first truly, fully integrated community.
The Boys Town choir Truman posed with was also diverse, as seen in this image taken from film. Less than two months later, Truman signed the executive order desegregating the U.S. military.
President Harry Truman is greeted in 1948 by Eddie Dunn, Boys Town’s mayor. To the left is Rev. Edmond Walsh, who was serving as acting director of Boys Town in the wake of Rev. Edward Flanagan’s death.
Photos: Boys Town's New Education Center
Father Steven Boes speaks before the ribbon cutting of the new Boys Town Education Center on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.
The Boys Town Education Center, located at 12727 Flanagan Boulevard.
The Boys Town Education Center, located at 12727 Flanagan Boulevard.
The new Boys Town Education Center will start having students this fall.
Former Omaha Mayor PJ Morgan, left, shakes hands with Boys Town Mayor Jafar Liebers after Liebers gave a tour of the new Boys Town Education Center on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.
People tour the new Boys Town Education Center on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.
Boys Town Mayor Jafar Liebers gives a tour of the new Boys Town Education Center on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.
The new Boys Town Education Center will start having students this fall.
The new Boys Town Education Center will start having students this fall.
A "butterfly wall" with artwork created by the students decorates part of the new Boys Town Education Center on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.
Boys Town Mayor Jafar Liebers gives a tour of the new Boys Town Education Center on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.
Father Steven Boes sprinkles holy water on the new Boys Town Education Center after the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.
Father Steven Boes prepares to end the new Boys Town Education Center after the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.
Superintendent of Boys Town Lindsay Meier speaks at the ribbon cutting for the new Boys Town Education Center on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.
People gather to watch the ribbon cutting for the new Boys Town Education Center on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.
Boys Town Chief Executive Officer Rod Kempkes speaks before the ribbon cutting of the new Boys Town Education Center on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.
Father Steven Boes speaks before the ribbon cutting of the new Boys Town Education Center on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.
Father Steven Boes, left, and Boys Town Chief Executive Officer Rod Kempkes talk before the ribbon cutting at the new Boys Town Education Center on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.
Father Steven Boes, left, and Boys Town Chief Executive Officer Rod Kempkes look at the new Boys Town Education Center on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.
