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Historyguy.com: President Roosevelt's Day of
Infamy Speech--On
December 8, 1941, President Franklin Delano
Roosevelt appeared before the United States
Congress to ask for a declaration of war against
the Japanese Empire. Below is the famous speech
heard by millions of shocked Americans over their
radios that day. As the President had asked,
Congress voted in a formal declaration of war
against Japan. President Franklin
Roosevelt's Day of Infamy
Speech The United
States was at peace with that nation and, at the
solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation
with its Government and its Emperor looking
toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons
had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese
Ambassador to the United States and his
colleague delivered to the Secretary of State a
formal reply to a recent American message. While
this reply stated that it seemed useless to
continue the existing diplomatic negotiations,
it contained no threat or hint of war or armed
attack. It will be
recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan
makes it obvious that the attack was
deliberately planned many days or even weeks
ago. During the intervening time the Japanese
Government has deliberately sought to deceive
the United States by false statements and
expressions of hope for continued
peace. The attack
yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused
severe damage to American naval and military
forces. Very many American lives have been lost.
In addition American ships have been reported
torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco
and Honolulu. Yesterday the
Japanese Government also launched an attack
against Malaya. Last night Japanese forces
attacked Hong Kong. Last night Japanese forces
attacked Guam. Last nightJapanese forces
attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night the
Japanese attacked Wake Island. This morning the
Japanese attacked Midway Island. Japan has,
therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive
extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts
of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of
the United States have already formed their
opinions and well understand the implications to
the very life and safety of our nation.
As
Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have
directed that all measures be taken for our
defense. Always will we
remember the character of the onslaught against
us. No matter how long it may take us to
overcome this premeditated invasion, the
American people in their righteousmight will win
through to absolute victory. I believe I
interpret the will of the Congress and of the
people when I assert that we will not only
defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make
very certain that this form of treachery shall
never endanger us again. Hostilities
exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our
people, our territory and our interests are in
grave danger. With confidence
in our armed forces - with the unbounded
determination of our people - we will gain the
inevitable triumph - so help us God. I ask that the
Congress declare that since the unprovoked and
dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December
seventh, a state of war has existed between the
United States and the Japanese
Empire."
Copyright
© 1998-2011 Roger A. Lee; Last Modified:
12.07.11 "The
History Guy" is a Registered Trademark. Please
cite this source when appropriate: Roger
A. Lee. "The History Guy: Day of Infamy Speech
(1941) " http://www.historyguy.com/day_of_infamy.html . |
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