Speech Pearl Harbor
On
December 7th, 1941
, Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japanese forces.
The next day, Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the United States Congress with his memorable
“a date which will live in infamy” speech
.
This speech had two purposes:
1. To urge Congress to formally declare war on Japan (which they did just minutes later), and
2. To rally the American people to support the war effort.
Yesterday, December 7, 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 most memorable phrase of this speech comes in its first line. The label “infamy” foreshadows the tone of the entire speech. Consider the very different tone resulting from the following alternatives:
■ Yesterday, December 7, 1941 — a tragic date — …
■ Yesterday, December 7, 1941 — a pivotal day for our country — …
■ Yesterday, December 7, 1941 — a date which we experienced sorrow…
■ Yesterday, December 7, 1941, the United States of America was… [that is, suppose no labelling phrase was used at all]
None of these alternatives are consistent with Roosevelt’s goal.
Roosevelt continues to use vivid, emotional words throughout the speech, including:
■ “suddenly and deliberately attacked”
■ “deliberately planned”
■ “deliberately sought to deceive”
■ “surprise offensive”
■ “unprovoked and dastardly”
■ “premeditated invasion”
■ “onslaught against us”
■ “this form of treachery”
These phrases continue the “infamy” theme, and characterize the Japanese actions as duplicitous and dishonorable.
Consider the following phrases:
[…] the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the
Empire of Japan
.
And, later:
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
December 7th, 1941
, Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japanese forces.
The next day, Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the United States Congress with his memorable
“a date which will live in infamy” speech
.
This speech had two purposes:
1. To urge Congress to formally declare war on Japan (which they did just minutes later), and
2. To rally the American people to support the war effort.
Yesterday, December 7, 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 most memorable phrase of this speech comes in its first line. The label “infamy” foreshadows the tone of the entire speech. Consider the very different tone resulting from the following alternatives:
■ Yesterday, December 7, 1941 — a tragic date — …
■ Yesterday, December 7, 1941 — a pivotal day for our country — …
■ Yesterday, December 7, 1941 — a date which we experienced sorrow…
■ Yesterday, December 7, 1941, the United States of America was… [that is, suppose no labelling phrase was used at all]
None of these alternatives are consistent with Roosevelt’s goal.
Roosevelt continues to use vivid, emotional words throughout the speech, including:
■ “suddenly and deliberately attacked”
■ “deliberately planned”
■ “deliberately sought to deceive”
■ “surprise offensive”
■ “unprovoked and dastardly”
■ “premeditated invasion”
■ “onslaught against us”
■ “this form of treachery”
These phrases continue the “infamy” theme, and characterize the Japanese actions as duplicitous and dishonorable.
Consider the following phrases:
[…] the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the
Empire of Japan
.
And, later:
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