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81312010 Franklin D. Rooseveli : Day of Infamy S...

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Day of Infamy
Franklin D. Roose\€lt- Dec,7, 1941
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Ycstcrday, Dec. 7, 1941 - a dale which will live in infamy - the United States
ofAmerica was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces
olthe Lmpire ofJapan.

The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the soiicitation of
Japan, was still in conversation with the governrnenl and its emperor looking
toward the mintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed" one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombin g in
Oahu. the Japanese ambassadorto the United States and his colleagues
deliveled to the Secretary ofState a formalreply to a recent Anrrican
nressage. While this reply stated that it seenred useless to conijnue the
existing diplonutic negotiations, it contained no threat orhint ofwar or
armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance ofHawaii fiomJapan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days
or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese govemment has deliberately sought to deceive the United
States by false statements and eryressions ofhope lor continued peacc.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to Anrerican naval and military forces. Very many
Anrerican lives have been lost. In addition, Anrerican ships have been repofted torpedoed on the high seas belween San
Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday, the Japanese govemment also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night, Japanese lorces attacked Guam

Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Llst night, the Japanese atlacked Wake Island.

This moming. the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has,lherefore. undertaken a surprise offensive e*ending throughout the fr.!'ir.tjlih yl,;r. l]r:!;l;r !:
Pacific area. The facts ofyesterday s peak for thernselves. The people olthe United
afiIt

W&m !;****
States have already lomred their opinions and well understand the implications to the
very lilc and salety ofour nation.
NY
As comnander in chiefofthe Anny and Navy, I have directed that all nrasures be a&$u $8ffi$t0 nt
taken lor our defense.
J&p fril[$g pt
Always rvill we remember the character ofthe onslaught against us.

No nratter ho$, long it nray take us to overcome this prcmeditated invasion, the
American people in their righteous might willwin through to absolute victory.

I believe I interpret the willofthe Congress and ofthe people when I assefi that we will not only dclend ourselves to the

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Bl3l2010 Franklin D. Roosevelt : Day of Infamy S...
uttennost, but will rake very cefiain that this form oftreachery shall never endanger us again.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that that our peopie. our terdtory and our interests arc in grave danger.

W ith confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding delermination ofour people - we will gain the inevitable triunph -
so help us Cnd.

I ask that the Congress declare that


ince the unprovoked and dastard ly attack by Japan on Sunday, Dec. 7, a state ofwar has
s

existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

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