The first Homecoming occurred on the Truman campus on Nov. 3, 1939, when the school was known as Northeast Missouri State Teachers College. 

The event was sponsored by Blue Key Honor Fraternity and featured a pep rally, freshmen/sophomore tug of war (the freshmen won), football banquet, parade, and dance. With the support of University President Walter Ryle, Homecoming became a school tradition each fall except for 1942-1945 due to World War II. Blue Key continued to sponsor Homecoming activities until 1948 when a committee of six faculty members was appointed to sponsor the events.

Throughout the years, Homecoming has kept many of the original activities to promote school spirit, including the pep rally, parade, and dance. It has grown into a weeklong event with new activities like the lip sync competition and the 5K run joining the traditional pep rally and parade. Other events include class reunions and special entertainment from both campus and outside groups.

Past Homecoming Themes

2012 - World's Fair

2011 - Truman Goes Hollywood 

2010 – iTruman/Now Playing: Homecoming 2010

2009 – The Adventure Continues...

2008 – Where in the World is Harry S. Truman?

2007 – Reality Bytes...the Truman Show

2006 – Year of the Dog

2005 – Branded a Bulldog

2004 – Bulldogs Unleashed

2003 – Reinvent a Tru Classic

2002 – Purple Reign

2001 – Make Your Mark

2000 – The Big Picture

1999 – Imagine

1998 – America's Most Wanted

1997 – Oh, The Places You'll Go

1996 – Famous Firsts

1995 – The Wonder Years

1994 – On Broadway

1993 – HTV (Homecoming Television)