PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S
ADDRESS TO CONGRESS
(Asking for a Declaration of a State
of War
between the United States and Japan, December 8, 1941)
 Yesterday, 7 December
1941-a date which will live in infamy-the United States of America was
suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire
of Japan.
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 had 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 were lost. In addition American
ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco
and Honolulu.
(continued next column)
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Yesterday the Japanese
Government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night Japanese
forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night Japanese
forces attacked Guam.
Last night Japanese
forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night Japanese
forces 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 righteous might 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,
7 December, a state of war has existed between the United States
and the Japanese Empire.
Source: Pamphlet No. 4,
PILLARS OF PEACE; Documents Pertaining To American Interest In
Establishing A Lasting World Peace: January 1941-February 1946. Published
by the Book Department, Army Information School, Carlisle Barracks, Pa.,
May 1943 |
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To hear the actual Day of
Infamy speech in mp3 format, click
here (7.2 MB)
To see the ORIGINAL copy (with handwritten additions/deletions, click
here
Pearl Harbor
Exhibit Wins First Place
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I want to
introduce you to a very talented student from Bernie,
MO. Meet Zach M. Zach, a 7th grader, chose
'Pearl Harbor' as his project topic and as you can see,
with much time and effort has done quite well for
himself. Zach has placed first in his school, won
1st place at Districts and is now headed to State on
April 14th. Below please read some of the emails
we have received from Zach. Congratulations, Zach!
What an outstanding job! Good luck on April 14th!
(enlargement
of project board)
Emails Received from Zach:
Sent:
3/21/2007
Subject: RE: Pearl Harbor exhibit wins first place
What a way to celebrate my spring break!!!
Thank you for sharing my excitement with everyone else.
I would be very excited for you to post my pictures on
your website. Just a note in the picture: my
survivor stories are in a 5 inch binder. I have now
added a 3 inch binder and both are full. I have 62
actual accounts and stories from 42 of the 50 states.
Using a map of the ships locations, I have either a
story or found an account online for each of the ships
present at Pearl Harbor. There may be more ships, but I
used the map that I had. If you would like to post my
email that would be fine as well.
Thanks for thinking of me,
Zach
Sent:
3/19/2007
Subject: RE: Pearl Harbor exhibit wins first place
Just to let you know, I won 1st place with my Pearl
Harbor project at Districts, and will be going to state
on April 14th. There were 95 other projects in my
category. Thank you for your support.
Zach
Subject:
Pearl Harbor
Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2007
Just wanted to say thanks for all your help. I have used
your information and an email I received of questions
and answers by Zenji Abe to help show the Japanese
preparation and feelings of the attack. I place 1st at
my school and will be competing at the District level
the 16th. I hope to make it to state and possibly
nationals. I am attaching pictures for you to see what I
have done. I have filled a 5 inch binder and am working
on a 3 inch binder with stories, newspaper articles and
pictures that people have sent.
Once again I couldn’t have had a good understanding of
the Japanese point of view without all of your help!
Zach |
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