Today is Sunday, November 1st, 2020. On this day in 1950, two Puerto Rican immigrants

attempted to assassinate President Harry S. Truman.

Welcome to today in True Crime, a Spotify original from podcast, due to the graphic nature

of today's crimes. Listener discretion is advised. Extreme caution is advised for listeners

under 13. Today we're covering the failed assassination attempt of President Harry S. Truman

by two members of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party. Let's go back to Washington, D.C. on

the morning of November 1st, 1950.

Griselio Torresola and Oscar Coyaso sat in the back of a taxi touring the nation's capital.

Despite the unusually warm November weather, both men sported crisp, clean, pinstripe suits.

They were resolved to look their best. Just a few days earlier, Oscar told his wife Rosa

that he was returning to their homeland of Puerto Rico to fight for independence. But

first, he, along with Griselio, took the 330 train from New York City to Washington, D.C.

For the past two nights, the two Puerto Rican immigrants stayed at the Harris Hotel under

false aliases, readying themselves for the revolution ahead. Although they didn't necessarily want

to kill anyone for their cause, they were ready to die for it. And now, as they toured America's

greatest landmarks, they considered the best plan of action to secure Puerto Rican independence

from America. Meanwhile, the cab driver, who was completely unaware of their motives,

turned onto Pennsylvania Avenue and pointed towards Blair House, a four-story townhouse with

dark green shutters. He chatted away and told his two well-dressed passengers that President

Harry S. Truman lived right inside. Griselio and Oscar gave each other a knowing look.

To gain Puerto Rican freedom, they would kill the president of the United States of America.

Situated diagonally across from the White House, Blair House was an exclusive retreat reserved

...