Video: FDR’s Defiant Response to Pearl Harbor

On December 7, 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressed Congress, condemning what he termed a “date which will live in infamy” due to the surprise attack on the United States by Japan.

At that time, relations between the two nations were ostensibly peaceful. Japan had engaged in diplomatic discussions with the U.S., yet hours after the assault began, the Japanese ambassador delivered a formal message that suggested a continuation of negotiations, despite the military offensive unfolding at the same moment.

Evidence indicates that the attack on Pearl Harbor was premeditated, as the geographical distance between Japan and Hawaii suggests weeks of planning. Meanwhile, Japan was making misleading claims of peace, further illustrating a calculated deception.

The consequences were dire, with severe damage inflicted on American military installations and heavy loss of life. Reports emerged of American vessels being torpedoed in the Pacific, intensifying the urgency of the situation.

The scale of Japan’s offensive was not limited to Hawaii. Concurrently, Japanese forces assaulted territories including Malaya, Hong Kong, Guam, the Philippines, Wake Island, and Midway Island, marking a coordinated military campaign across the Pacific region.

Recognizing the gravity of the attack, President Roosevelt urged Congress to prepare for comprehensive defense measures. He stated his unwavering commitment to safeguarding American interests and ensuring that such treachery could never threaten the nation again.

In closing, Roosevelt called for a declaration of war against Japan, emphasizing that hostilities now existed and that American determination would lead to victory amidst the perilous circumstances.