FDR gave this speech to Congress on December 8, 1941, the day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He was asking Congress to declare war on Japan as a result of the attack. As you might remember from Civics class, in the U.S., war has to be declared by Congress. FDR knew they hadn't been happy about the idea of going to war to protect Britain, but this time it was personal.

Roosevelt opened by describing the previous day, December 7, 1941, as "a date which will live in infamy," a quote that most Americans will recognize even if they aren't quite sure where it's from. He was right: it's now known as Pearl Harbor Day. He continued on to describe how unexpected the attack was, because the U.S. "was still in conversation with the government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific" (source). The Japanese government had even delivered a message during the attack that showed no indication that they were planning to, you know, attack.

Roosevelt described the attack, and also listed a number of other areas that Japan attacked the same day in a "surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area" (source). FDR then got into military mode, talking about how America would be determined to stand up and defend itself. Like Churchill and others, he got real about the road ahead: "Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger" (source).

Roosevelt closed the speech requesting that Congress declare a state of war between the U.S. and Japan.

We all know how that worked out.

If you want to watch FDR do his thing, head on over here to see him give this speech. Plus, we've got a whole guide on this one, too.