“Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:
Yesterday, December 7th, 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 or 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 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.”
- Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States
Eighty-three years ago, the United States withstood the greatest ambush on American soil since the Revolutionary War. The Empire of Japan brazenly and shamelessly conducted a surprise attack on the Navy & Army Air Force bases at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Japan had been allowed to lie unharmed for far too long. This led them to think that they were invincible, and blessed by the “gods”. So they made the next logical step…..try to take over the world.
This actually was going fairly well for them. Germany & Italy had joined, and together with Hitler’s blitzkrieg and Mussolini’s strength, they were bringing Europe to its knees. Britain was unable to pose a serious threat, Russia was staying out of it, but watching carefully….and China was in the process of being destroyed by Japan. And America was also staying out of it.
Unfortunately, this made them feel quite strong. For once, they thought they could really make the world bow to the Rising Sun. There was just one thing that would stand in the way of that. Hitler, Mussolini, and the Japanese Emperor all pretended to ignore the white elephant in the room. The big brother.
Uncle Sam.
Sure, they hadn’t got involved yet. But there were small signs that the American people were beginning to feel a little restless about what was going on with their European neighbors. And if America got involved, the war would be over. They’d already put down the Axis twenty years earlier, effortlessly. Everyone knew it would just happen again.
So the logical thing here would be to simply not swat at the hornet’s nest—just leave the United States alone. Maybe even try to form an alliance.
But as world history has proven again and again, it takes a very rare man who, drunk on the wine of unparalleled success and power, stops to think about little things like logic. Or pauses to listen to his advisors and peers.
Thus it was that the Empire of Japan decided the next best course of action would be to conquer the United States. On December 7th, 1941, they launched a massive surprise attack, in the hope of crippling the US Navy’s Pacific fleet.
Three hours later, as the Japanese fleet raced back to the safety of their own waters, they began to realize the gravity of what they’d just done.
2,403 Americans dead. Military and civilians.
1,178 wounded. Many to die later.
And with that, the giant awoke. The East had teased it for far too long. On December 8th, President Roosevelt delivered the short but stirring speech above to a joint session of Congress and requested that they immediately vote on a declaration of war against the Axis powers.
Immediately after he finished, Congress voted. It took about 30 seconds to realize that the outcome had been decided twenty-four hours earlier with the Pearl Harbor attack. Every single Senator & Representative present voted in favor of the declaration.
And with that simple vote, World War II began.
Fast forward 4 years, and the Empire of Japan stood in smoking ruins. They were using high-school aged girls to work in military factories and decode top-secret transmissions from the Allies, because they’d completely run out of men, and even women, to staff these facilities. Their entire fleet was gone, and the few submarines left were (literally) patched with tape and 2x4s. Their army was in full-blown mutiny, and very few men left actually obeyed the officers. Nagasaki & Hiroshima were about to be reduced to piles of rubble.
Meanwhile, over in Germany, Hitler was despairing of life, and about to commit suicide. The Allies were marching into Normandy, and the clouds were slowly beginning to lift from Germany. The Nazis were finally scared, because they had met a force a thousand times stronger than anything they had yet encountered.
But I didn’t make this post just to gloat about how strong and powerful the United States is, or how thoroughly we decimated the Axis. Even with a just cause, as we had in WWII, war is still a horrific tragedy. Always. There is never a situation in which it is not a terrible violation of all that is good and right.
But sometimes it is necessary.
And in 1941, it was necessary. The forces of tyranny and death threatened to overtake the world. And those few good men left on the planet, stood…..and refused to kneel.
If they didn’t, you’d be wearing a uniform right now, speaking German or Japanese, and doing a sieg hail every time you saw a police officer or flag.
So today, be thankful that God was gracious and willing enough to save us from utter destruction. Be thankful that he allowed the Allies to stop the relentless march of fanatics marching across Europe.
And be thankful you live in the United States of America. Be proud of our flag. Put your hand over your heart when you hear the national anthem. Support the work of those trying to restore America to its past glory.
But above all, remember those who lost their lives defending our nation, and our cause. Remember those who gladly paid the ultimate sacrifice, that YOU might live free today.
Thank you, veterans!! We owe you a debt that we will never be able to repay. The way you’re treated in our modern culture is shameful. But don’t forget that there are those still grateful for the sacrifice you made, and the ultimate sacrifice your brothers made. God bless you all, and God bless the United States.
the ending message- very reverent. love that!