Truman serenades Bacall in iconic Club moment, Feb. 10, 1945

This Week In National Press Club History

February 10, 1945: The iconic photograph of Vice President Harry S. Truman, an accomplished pianist, serenading actress Lauren Bacall as she perched on top of the Club’s upright, is on display in the Truman Lounge, and the piano (with a new casing) is there too. The future president was a regular visitor to the National Press Club during his days as a senator and he came once to the Club’s popular World War ll canteen for servicemen. Mrs. Truman was reportedly not amused by this antic, although her husband had told her that he could not get into trouble at the Club because it was for men only.

February 13, 1935: UPI reporter Webb Miller becomes the first journalist invited to speak at a National Press Club luncheon.

February 13, 1973: Washington Redskins head coach George Allen speaks at a Club luncheon a month after the team loses Super Bowl Vll to the Miami Dolphins, 14-7. Allen’s first two seasons as head coach -- 1971 and 1972 -- had restored the team to competitive status after a 20-year losing streak. Other football notables have spoken about sports and favorite causes at Club luncheons over the years, including Allen’s son, Bruce, general manager of the Redskins (2012), Eli Manning (2008), Jim Brown (1992), Joe Gibbs (1981) and Sonny Jurgensen (1975).

February 14, 1912: One hundred and one years ago this week, Harry Houdini, the Hungarian-born magician, known for his sensational escapes from straitjackets, chains, jails, and once even from the belly of a whale, visits the National Press Club.

This Week in National Press Club History is provided by the History & Heritage Committee, which preserves and revitalizes the Club’s century-plus history through revolving lobby displays, panel discussions, events and an ongoing oral history project.

For more information on the Committee’s activities, or to join it, contact Chair Gilbert Klein at [email protected]