Address to Congress Requesting a Declaration of War

Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Address toCongress Requesting a Declaration ofWar delivered December 8, 1941
Mr. Vice President, and Mr. Speaker, and Members of the Senate and House ofRepresentatives:
不名誉

Yesterday, December 7, 1941-a date which will live

inなものとして残る

infamy -the United States of

故意にAmerica was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire ofJapan.
懇願

The United States was at peace with that Nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was stillin conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of編隊

開戦の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
国務長官

and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American
現行のmessage. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing
外交的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
攻撃を仕掛けるまでの時間

was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the騙す

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
魚雷攻撃する公海

addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San
Francisco and Honolulu.
マレー

Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.

IAddress to Congress Requesting a Declaration of War
Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
ウェーキ島

Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. And this morning the Japanese attacked
ミッドウェー島

Midway Island.
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area.
～からすれば自明の理である

The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States
引き起こされる影響

have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very lifeand safety of our Nation.
最高司令官

As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken
for our defense.
襲撃

But always will our whole Nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.
予め計画されたNo matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American～するまで

people in their righteous might will win throughto absolute victory. I believe that I

interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only
最大限に背信行為

defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treacheryshall never again endanger us.
看過する

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and ourinterests are in grave danger.
無制限のWith confidence in our armed forces- with the un- bounding determination of our peoplewe will gain the inevitable triumph- so help us God.
いわれのない卑劣なI ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by

Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States
and the Japanese Empire.

NOTE: The part of Italics isn’t taped.

II