New Documentary Examines the Lives and Legacies of Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kynala Phillips
Communications and Engagement Manager
communications@kansascitypbs.org
816-398-4235, ext. 4869
New Documentary Examines the Lives and Legacies of Harry Truman and
Dwight Eisenhower
Winning the War: Harry, Ike & the Fight for Democracy airs on Kansas City PBS this May
Kansas City, MO — Kansas City PBS is proud to announce the premiere of Winning the War: Harry, Ike & the Fight for Democracy, a new documentary from filmmaker Emily Woodring (Nichols’ Folly, Womontown). As the world marks the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in World War II, this new documentary examines the lives and leadership of two monumental figures — Harry S. Truman of Independence, Missouri, and Dwight D. Eisenhower of Abilene, Kansas — whose actions during the war helped shape the future of the globe and the preservation of democracy itself. Winning the War airs on Kansas City PBS Channel 19.1 on Thursday, May 15, at 7 p.m.

Before the broadcast premiere, audiences can celebrate Truman Day with an advance screening of Winning the War at the Plaza Theatre in Lamar, Missouri, hosted by the Barton County Chamber of Commerce. The screening is free and will take place at 3:15 p.m. For more information about the event, please call the Barton County Chamber of Commerce at 417-682-3595 or visit bartoncounty.com.
"We’re proud to shine a spotlight on the heartland’s legacy in shaping world history,” said Kliff Kuehl, president and CEO of Kansas City PBS. “This film reminds us that leadership, courage and democratic values often rise from ordinary places and extraordinary people — something we see clearly in the stories of Truman and Eisenhower.”
The new documentary will explore Truman’s rise from Independence, Missouri, to the White House, where he faced the responsibility of navigating the final years of the war and making life-or-death decisions that would change the global balance forever. Most notably, Truman authorized the use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, a decision that remains one of the most controversial in history but also brought an end to the devastating conflict.



PHOTO CAPTION: Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower at a pivotal moment in American history. Photo courtesy of the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum.
Meanwhile, Eisenhower, with his military acumen, served as the supreme commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe, where his leadership in Operation Overlord paved the way for the defeat of Nazi Germany. His leadership not only ensured the success of the military campaigns but also laid the foundation for his future presidency.
“I want people to understand not only how Harry S. Truman's and Dwight D. Eisenhower's tough decisions helped win World War II, with the invasion of Normandy and the dropping of the atomic bombs, but also how passionate they, alongside World War II Veterans, were about defending democracy,” said Emily Woodring, Winning the War filmmaker and Kansas City PBS’ Emmy Award-winning multimedia producer.
Winning the War: Harry, Ike & the Fight for Democracy promises to be a powerful, thought-provoking film that localizes two essential historical figures and offers fresh insights from historians, scholars and those who lived through the war 80 years ago. To learn more, visit kansascitypbs.org/winningthewar.
About Kansas City PBS

Located in the heart of Kansas City, MO, Kansas City PBS is a non-profit multimedia organization serving the community since 1961. The PBS member station airs diverse content focused on civic affairs, science, food, drink, arts and culture on four television channels, including Channel 19.1, 19.2, 19.3 (Create) and 19.4, the 24-hour PBS KIDS channel. Channel
19.1 is also available to live stream online, with programming available on-demand in the PBS App and Kansas City PBS Passport, a member-benefit streaming service. Kansas City PBS serves students, caregivers and the local education community through free online resources, workshops for parents and teachers, and annual conferences and events. It also owns and operates the local NPR music station, 90.9 The Bridge, providing nonprofit radio in a AAA format to listeners over the air and online streaming. Kansas City PBS’ nonprofit source for local journalism, Flatland (flatlandkc.org), produces multimedia reporting focused on civic affairs, arts and culture, food and drink, and education. For more information on Kansas City PBS or its wide variety of local and national content, visit kansascitypbs.org.