A day of infamy…
On December 8, 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the UNITED STATES Congress in response to the Japanese invasion of Pearl Harbor of the island of Oahu in Hawaii.
The speech began…. “Yesterday, Dec. 7, 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 the government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific….”
President Roosevelt went on to itemize that other US sovereign soil was also attacked and in the end posed a request to Congress:
“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 that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.”
“With confidence in our armed forces – with the unbounding 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, Dec. 7, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.”
Tags: Franklin Delano Roosevelt, WW II
