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. 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. As Commander-in-Cheif of the army and navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, but always will our whole 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 soon that this form of treachery shall never again indanger us. Hostilities exist, there is no blinking at the fact that all 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 the 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. - Franklin Delano Roosevelt