Analysis of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Day of Infamy Speech

Erika Hall
Reporting- Comm. 225
Oct. 18th, 2013
Assignment #7
Reporting Speeches
President Franklin D. Roosevelt has asked Congress to declare a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire since the Dec. 7th attacks on Pearl Harbor.
“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 certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.”
The room was silent while Roosevelt spoke. He forewarned that there is no easy road ahead for the American people, and there many lives were lost.
“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.”
Roosevelt was strong in his confidence of the American people, and our ability to recover.
“Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our 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.”
He also described other Japanese government attacks against Malaya, Hong Kong, Guam, the Philippine Islands, Wake Island, and Midway Island all since yesterday.
“Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.” Roosevelt declared that our whole nations will always remember the character of the onslaught against us. And that no matter how long it will take us to recover the American people in their righteous might will be victorious.