Looking Back on the American Century February 5 � April 30, 2000 In 1940 publisher Henry Luce used the phrase "the American Century" to describe the emergence of the United States as the preeminent world power. Beginning with the accession of a young and energetic Theodore Roosevelt to the Presidency in 1901, the United States began to turn its vast resources onto the world stage. Since that time, through world wars, depression, boom times, social upheavals, scientific and technological developments, and cultural trends, the United States vigorously placed its stamp of influence on the 20th Century. This exhibition presents a small taste of the American Century. It is, by no means a comprehensive or thorough examination of the times, but it brings together about three dozen important objects and documents that made the headlines during the last one hundred years. "Looking Back on the American Century" is a retrospective of the past 100 years as well as a preview of the future. It is the Truman Library�s final museum exhibition prior to the beginning of an extensive two-year renovation. From the renovation will emerge the "Classroom for Democracy," a series of exhibitions, educational programs, and other new initiatives designed to infuse the Library with a new vitality, and to assure that it will serve new generations of Americans well into the 21st Century. Examples of some of the objects featured in "Looking Back on the American Century" include the following: Large photographic images of many of the major events and personalities of the century supplement the artifacts. In addition, visitors are tested on their knowledge of the century through a series of questions whose answers are revealed behind hinged doors. A concluding section of the exhibition describes the upcoming transformation of the Truman Library to create the "Classroom for Democracy."     The Harry S. Truman Library and Museum is one of thirteen Presidential Libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration . 500 W. US Hwy. 24. Independence MO 64050 truman.library@nara.gov ; Phone: 816-268-8200 or 1-800-833-1225; Fax: 816-268-8295.