For a Declaration of War Against Japan

富兰克林·罗斯福/Franklin Roosevelt

富兰克林·罗斯福（1882—1945），美国第32任总统，美国历史上唯一蝉联四届（第四届未任满）的总统。罗斯福在20世纪的经济大萧条和第二次世界大战中扮演了重要的角色，被学者评为美国最伟大的三位总统之一。

副总统先生，议长先生，各位参议员和众议员：

昨天——1941年12月7日，将永远成为一个耻辱的日子——美利坚合众国遭到了日本帝国海空军部队蓄意的突然攻击。

美国同日本当时正处于和平状态，同时，应日本的请求，我们仍在同该国政府及天皇进行对话，期望能够维持太平洋区域的和平。

事实上，在日本空军中队开始轰炸美国瓦胡岛之后的一个小时，日本驻美大使及其同事还向我国国务卿提交了我国最近致日本书的正式复函。虽然该复函声称继续目前的外交谈判似乎无作用，却并未包含有关战争或武装攻击的威胁与暗示。

应该记录在案的是，夏威夷岛距日本的距离说明此次袭击显然是多日前甚至数周前就早已蓄意谋划好的一次军事行动。在此谋划过程中，日本政府还通过有关希望维护和平的虚假声明和表达蓄意欺骗美国。

昨天，夏威夷群岛所遭受的攻击给美国海陆部队造成了严重的损害。我遗憾地告诉诸位：许多美国人为此失去了生命。此外，据报告，在旧金山与檀香山之间的公海上，美国船只也遭到了鱼雷袭击。

昨日，日军也袭击了马来半岛。

昨夜，日军袭击了香港。

昨夜，日军袭击了关岛。

昨夜，日军袭击了菲律宾群岛。

昨夜，日军袭击了威克岛。

今晨，日本袭击了中途岛。

如此，日本在整个太平洋区域发动了全面突袭。昨天和今天的形势让事实不言自明。合众国人民已经对此有了自己的看法，并清楚地认识到这是关系着我们国家安全及生存的问题。

作为陆军及海军总司令，我已下令采用一切手段进行防卫。整个国家都将永远记住针对我们的这次袭击的性质。

无论击败这次有预谋的进犯需要多长时间，美国人民都将凭借正义的力量赢得绝对胜利。

现在，我断言我们不但能确保自身的安全，还能够确保这种背信弃义的行为永远不会再对我们有所危害。我相信，我这样说是代表了国会和人民的意愿。

兵临城下，无须讳言。我们的人民、领土以及利益已陷入极度危急的境地。

有了对我们武装力量的信赖，有了我们人民无比坚定的决心，胜利必定属于我们，愿上帝赐福于我们。

我要求国会宣布：鉴于日本于1941年12月7日星期日无故对我国进行卑鄙怯懦的突袭，美国自此同日本已处于交战状态。

Mr. Vice President， Mr.Speaker， members of the Senate and the House of Representative，

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.

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 working towards the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed， one hour after Japanese air squadrons had 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 nothreat 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 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.

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 Wake Island.

And this morning， the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

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 has 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 directedthat 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 righteousmight 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 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.