On January 3, 1935, Truman entered the Senate gallery for the first time, prepared to take the oath. Before the ceremony, he was called into the vice president’s office down a corridor, where Vice President John Nance “Cactus Jack” Garner of Texas awaited him. Other freshman senators gathered, all strangers to Truman. “Men,” Garner said, “before we enter into these ceremonies I’d like to have you all join me in striking a blow for liberty.” Garner pulled out a bottle “that looked like corn liquor,” according to one man present, and poured shots.
