
His secretary stated that the attacks were made "wholly without warning when both nations were at peace". This is not drill." Roosevelt soon ordered the mobilization of all military personnel. Frank Knox, the secretary of the Navy sent a phoned message which read: "Air raid on Pearl Harbor. EST, while he was having lunch with Harry Hopkins. Roosevelt was informed of the attack shortly after 1:00 p.m. Subsequently, 21 American ships and approximately 350 aircraft were destroyed, and more than 2,400 civilians and military personnel were killed. On December 7, 1941, the American naval base at Pearl Harbor in the Territory of Hawaii was attacked by 353 Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service aircraft in a surprise military strike at 7:48 a.m. He was re-elected in 1936, and in 1940, he won an unprecedented third term. He won the 1932 presidential election and was inaugurated as the president in 1933. He served as the assistant secretary of the Navy under President Woodrow Wilson and was elected the 44th governor of New York. Initially working at a law firm, he later became a member of the New York state senate. Roosevelt was born in 1882 in Dutchess County, New York. Kennedy, and September 11, 2001, the September 11 attacks.įranklin D. Roosevelt's description of December 7, 1941, as "a date which will live in infamy" has been compared with November 22, 1963, the assassination of John F. The speech has since been used in various films. The White House later received a number of telegrams praising Roosevelt's stance. Soon after the speech, Congress almost unanimously declared war against Japan.

It was broadcast live by radio and attracted the largest audience in American radio history, with over 81% of people tuning in to hear the speech. It is one of the most famous speeches of American politics.

The speech had a immediate positive response and long-lasting impact. According to author Sandra Silberstein, Roosevelt's speech followed a well-established tradition of how "through rhetorical conventions, presidents assume extraordinary powers as the commander in chief, dissent is minimized, enemies are vilified, and lives are lost in the defense of a nation once again united under God." It made the speech powerful and rhetorically important. Roosevelt employed the idea of kairos, which relates to speaking promptly. Roosevelt's speech was worded to reinforce his portrayal of the United States as a victim of unprovoked Japanese aggression and appealed to patriotism rather than to idealism. After consulting with his cabinet, Roosevelt decided to deliver an address before the joint session of the Congress the next day. On December 7, 1941, the American naval base at Pearl Harbor in the Territory of Hawaii was attacked by 353 Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service aircraft in a surprise military strike, destroying various American ships and aircraft, and killing over 2,400 civilians and military personnel.

The speech is known for its first line: "Yesterday, December 7, 1941-a date which will live in infamy." The previous day, the Empire of Japan's attack on the United States military bases at the Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and the Philippines, and declared war on the United States and the British Empire. Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the United States, to a joint session of Congress on December 8, 1941. The "Day of Infamy" speech was delivered by Franklin D. An excerpt from the speech where Roosevelt says ". a date which will live in infamy".
