Randolph warns Truman at White House meeting on March 22 that he will lead a civil disobedience campaign against the draft unless the armed forces are integrated.

In Shelley v. Kraemer, Supreme Court rules 6–0 on May 3 that judicial enforcement of racially restrictive property convenants is a violation of the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Democratic national convention adopts liberal platform plank on civil rights, July 14, causing split in the party, and on July 17 Southern "Dixiecrats" hold a States' Rights convention and nominate Governor Strom Thurmond of South Carolina for president.

Truman issues two executive orders on July 26: 9980, establishing a Fair Employment Board to promote nondiscriminatory employment practices in the federal civil service, and 9981, which begins desegregation of the armed services.

Truman wins election, November 2.