“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.
“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 has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.”
Those words, spoken by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt on Monday, December 8, 1941, still resonate today.
It seems appropriate that as we recall the trials, tribulations, anguish, loss, tragedy, and ultimately, the victory of our American servicemen and women during World War II, that we remember all of those who have sacrifice for our freedoms – From the American Revolution, the French and Indian War, the War of 1812, the Civil War – where brother fought brother, the Great War to End All Wars, the Korean Conflict (still in progress, but at cease-fire), the Vietnam War, Desert Shield and Storm, and the Cold War to today’s embattled troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other Middle Eastern locales. Please keep these men and women, and their families and loved ones in your prayers, as well as those of conflicts past.
To read President Roosevelt’s speech, in its entirety, please click here: Declaration of War to Japan – Day of Infamy speech by Franklin D. Roosevelt.
