“Yesterday, December 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… No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people will through their righteous might win through to absolute victory… With confidence in our armed forces – with the unbounded determination of our people – we will gain the inevitable triumph – so help us God. I, therefore, ask that the Congress declare that since the dastardly and unprovoked attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.”
President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dec. 8, 1941, speech asking Congress to declare war on Japan after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
- Watch a video of FDR’s speech to Congress at americanrhetoric.com/speeches/fdrpearlharbor.htm.
- Read FDR’s speech to Congress (and listen to the audio) at docs.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/tmirhdee.html, OR
- Listen to FDR’s speech to Congress at history.com/audio/fdr-asks-congress-to-declare-war-on-japan#fdr-asks-congress-to-declare-war-on-japan.
- Visit the National Parks Service website for the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor at nps.gov/valr/index.htm.
