Pearl Harbor Day: December 7th
“A date which will live in infamy”
By Christina Reed
The Hired Pen
President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Opening Speech to Congress: December 8, 1941
“Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and 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.”
Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 1941: “A date which will live in infamy”
The United States became fully embroiled in World War II, on the morning of Sunday, December 7, 1941. In a devastating blow to America, the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service attacked the neutral United States (at what was then not a US state), at the Naval Station Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, Hawaii. And, as that long, long day turned to night, the United States’ President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, gathered his cabinet, and the next day, he gave what became an infamous speech to Congress. While Canada declared war on the day of the attack (being the first in), our country declared war on Japan (December 8, 1941), and joined the Allies in WWII, against the German forces of Hitler.
There were 2,403 Americans killed that day, and 1,178 others were injured. The horrific, surprise attack sank four U.S. Navy battleships, and badly damaged four battleships. The Japanese attack damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, and one minelayer. America suffered other great losses that day, including the 188 aircraft which were destroyed, and the other 159 aircraft which were damaged. For many young Americans, the attack on the neutral US, moved them to action, and younger than 18-year-olds (the legal age to enlist in the armed forces), with deep convictions, convinced their parents to let them enlist in the armed forces.
It should be noted: On December 9, 1941, about 5.7 million men, and 350,000 women volunteered for service in the U.S. armed forces, according to the demographics of America; Council on Foreign Affairs. Many of our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents remember exactly where they were on that “date which will live in infamy.” Pearl Harbor Day is December 7th.
¡Enhorabuena!