Declaration of War

(Franklin D. Roosevelt)
Dec. 8, 1941
Yesterday December 7, 1941--a date which will Live in infamy--United States of America, was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
United States was at peace with that nation, and at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor, working towards the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after, Japanese air squadrons have commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu. The Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleagues delivered to our Secretary of States a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seems useless to continue the existing 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 was deliberately planned, many days, or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the 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 island 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. 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 Japanese attacked Week islands.
And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway islands.
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.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always, let our 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 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.
Hostilities exist, there is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interest 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 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.

deliberately adv.故意地
solicitation n.恳求, 恳请, 诱惑, 引发
squadron n.一群, 空军中队, 骑兵中队 v.把...编成中队
commence v.开始, 着手
intervene vi.干涉, 干预, 插入, 介入, (指时间)介于其间 v.干涉
deceive v.欺骗, 行骗
torpedo n.鱼雷, 油井爆破筒 v.用鱼雷进攻, 破坏
onslaught n.冲击
premeditated adj.预想的, 预谋的
righteous adj.正直的, 正当的, 正义的
uttermost n.极端, 最大限度
treachery n.背叛, 背信弃义, 变节, 叛逆行为
hostility n.敌意, 恶意, 不友善, 敌对, 对抗, 反对
unprovoked adj.非因触犯而发生的, 无缘无故的
dastardly adj.懦弱的, 卑鄙的

要求国会对日本宣战

（富兰克林•罗斯福）
1941.12.8

昨天，1941年12月7日，将成为美国的国耻日。美利坚合众国遭到日本帝国海军、空军有预谋的突然袭击。
在此之前，美国同日本处于和平状态，并应日本之请求同其国政府及天皇谈判，旨在维持太平洋地区的和平。其实，在日本空军部队在瓦胡岛开始轰炸一小时后，日本驻美大使及其同僚居然还向美国国务卿递交了回复美国最近致日本函件的正式复函。这份回复虽然声言目前的外交谈判已无继续之必要、但却并没有威胁的言词，也没有暗示将发动战争或采取军事行动。
夏威夷岛距日本的距离说明此次袭击显然是许多天前甚至几星期前就已精心策划好的，此事将记录在案。在此期间，日本政府故意用虚假的声明和愿意继续保持和平的表示欺骗美国。
日军昨天对夏威夷群岛的袭击，给我海、陆军造成了严重的破坏。我遗憾地告诉大家：许许多多美国人被炸死。同时，有报告说，若干艘美国船只在旧金山与火奴鲁鲁之间的公海上被水雷击中。
昨天，日本政府还发动了对马来西亚的袭击。
昨夜日本部队袭击了香港。
昨夜日本部队袭击了关岛。
昨夜日本部队袭击了菲律宾群岛。
昨夜日本部队袭击了威克岛。
今晨日本人袭击了中途岛。
这样，日本就在整个太平洋区域发动了全面的突然袭击。昨天和今天的一切已说明了事实的真相。美国人民已经清楚地了解到这是关系我国生死存亡的问题。
作为海、陆军总司令，我已指示采取一切措施进行防御。让我们永远记住对我们这次袭击的性质。无论需要多长时间去击败这次有预谋的侵略，美国人民正义在手，必将获胜。当我保证我们不仅将完全确保我们的安全，而且确保我们永不再受到这背信弃义的危害时，我相信我表达出了国会和人民的意志。
大敌当前，我们的人民、领土和利益正处于极度危险的状态，我们决不可稍有懈怠。我们相信我们的军队、我们的人民有无比坚定的决心，因此，我们必定会取得胜利。愿上帝保佑我们。我要求国会宣布：由于日本在1941年12月7日星期日对我国无故进行卑鄙的袭击，美国同日本已经处于战争状态。

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