A Date which will live in Infamy
President Franklin D. Roosevelt: Yesterday, December 7, 1941a date which will live in infamythe
United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of
Japan.
The United States was
nation, and, at the
was still in
government and its
toward the
in the Pacific. Indeed,
Japanese air squadrons
bombing in the
Oahu, the Japanese
United States and his
our secretary of state a
American message.
that it seemed useless
diplomatic
contained no threat or
attack.
at peace with that
solicitation of Japan,
conversation with its
emperor looking
maintenance of peace
one hour after
had commenced
American island of
ambassador to the
colleague delivered to
formal reply to a recent
While this reply stated
to continue the existing
negotiations, it
hint of war or armed
It will be recorded that
from Japan makes it
was deliberately
even weeks ago.
time the Japanese
deliberately sought to
States by false
expressions of hope for continued peace.
the distance of Hawaii
obvious that the attack
planned many days or
During the intervening
government has
deceive the United
statements and
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military
forces. I regret to tell you that 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 as 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.
And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of
yesterday and today 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.
A Date which will live in Infamy
As commander in chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our
defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. . .
President Franklin D. Roosevelt: Yesterday, December 7, 1941a date which
will live in infamythe 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 the American island of
Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague
delivered to our 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. I regret to tell you that 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 as 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.
And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout
the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today 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. But always will our whole nation
remember the character of the onslaught against us. .
A Date which will live in Infamy
Did You
know?
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (January
30, 1882 April 12, 1945), commonly
known by his initials FDR, was an
American statesman and political
leader who served as
the 32nd President of the United States.
[2]
A Democrat, he was elected four
times and served from March 1933 to
his death in April 1945. He was a
central figure in world events during
the mid-20th century, leading the
United States during a time of
worldwide economic depression and
total war. A dominant leader of the
Democratic Party, he built a New Deal
Coalition that realigned American
politics after 1932, as his New
Deal domestic policies
defined American liberalism for the
middle third of the 20th century.
Jake Garwood
Kevin Norwood
