Feb. 28 event celebrates 80th anniversary of famous photo: Truman, Bacall at Club's piano

The most famous photo made at the National Press Club was taken 80 years this month.

To celebrate that image, Club historian Gil Klein of the History and Heritage Team will present a multimedia program focusing on Harry Truman and the Press Club on Friday, Feb. 28, at 4 p.m. in the Fourth Estate Room.

The event is free to members and guests but registration is required. Members can plan to partake in Taco Night in the Club's Reliable Source restaurant after the program ends, starting at 5:30 p.m.

One of the highlights of the Club’s illustrious history is the day in February 1945 when then-Vice President Harry Truman played the piano to entertain hundreds of servicemen gathered in the Ballroom for the weekly World War II Canteen. Also attracted to the canteen was the 20-year-old film starlet, Lauren Bacall, who had just exploded in popularity. Seeing a chance for publicity, her agent boosted her on top of the upright piano as she draped her legs while Truman played. The picture taken became the most famous photo taken at the Club.

Using vintage photos, audio and video clips, and the music Truman loved to play, Klein will weave the story of this chapter of Club history. Truman's first appearance at the Club was just weeks before the famous canteen, and his last one was for his 80th birthday in 1964. Truman died in 1972.