Digital History

Author:   Franklin D. Roosevelt
Date:1941

Annotation: On Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, Japanese carrier-based aircraft staged a surprise attack on the U.S. naval fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Airplanes launched from half a dozen aircraft carriers sank or heavily damaged 18 U.S. naval vessels, destroyed more than 180 U.S. aircraft and disabled another 120. American dead numbered 2,403.

Relations between the United States and Japan had deteriorated after Japan invaded China in 1937. when Japan launched a campaign to seize territory in China. When Japan established military bases in Southeast Asia in 1940 and 1941, the United States responded by froze Jpanese bank accounts and prohibited the export of scrap iron, oil, and aviation fuel to Japan. In a last ditch effort to avoid war, the United States and Japan held negotiations in Washington, D.C in November 1941. But while the diplomats met, the Japanese were preparing their surprise attack.

Why did Japan risk attacking Pearl Harbor? It would allow Japan to seize rubber plantations in French Indochina and British Malaya and oil fields in the Dutch East Indies. It would also help Japan achieve victory over China, which the Japanese had been fighting for four years. The Japanese hoped that by crippling the U.S. Pacific fleet, it might persuade the United States to acept a negotiated settlement.

Document: 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 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. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war of 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 an 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 the Japanese 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.

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 that 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 it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact 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, December seventh, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.