Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation

delivered 8 December 1941

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives: Yesterday, December 7th, 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 United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward 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 colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed 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 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 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 will 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 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. 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. I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

TRADUCERE
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Discursul de la Pearl Harbour ctre naiune
pronunat pe 8 decembrie 1941

Domnule vice-preedinte, domnule orator, membrii ai Senatului si membrii ai Camerei Reprezentantilor, ieri 7 decembrie 1941 o dat care va persista n dezonoare Statele Unite ale Americii au fost atacate n mod neprevzut i cu premeditare de forele navale i aeriene ale imperiului Japoniei. Statele Unite aveau o relaie de pace cu aceast naiune i, la solicitarea Japoniei, erau nc n tratative cu guvernul i cu mpratul japonez, dorind meninerea pcii n Oceanul Pacific. ntr-adevr, la o or de la nceperea bombardrii insulei americane Oahu de ctre escadrilele japoneze, ambasadorul japonez n Statele Unite i colegul su au nmnat secretarului de stat american o replic oficial la un recent mesaj american. Iar n timp ce aceast replic afirma c este inutil continuarea unor negocieri diplomatice, nu coninea, ns, nicio ameninare sau o aluzie la rzboi sau atac armat. Se va consemna c distana dintre Hawaii i Japonia evideniaz faptul c atacul a fost plnuit n mod deliberat cu multe zile sau chiar sptmni n urm. ntre timp, guvernul nipon a ncercat intenionat s induc n eroare Statele Unite prin afirmaii false i exprimrile speranei de continuare a pcii. Atacul de ieri asupra insulelor din Hawaii a condus la grave distrugeri pentru forele navale i aeriene americane. Regret s v anun c foarte multe viei s-au pierdut. n afar de aceasta, s-a raportat c nave americane sunt torpilate (atacate cu torpile) n largul mrii, ntre San Franciso i Honolulu. Deasemenea, ieri guvernul japonez a lansat un atac asupra Malayiei. Ieri noapte, forele japoneze au atacat Hong Kong. Ieri noapte, forele japoneze au atacat Guam. Ieri noapte, japonezii au atacat Insulele Filipine. i n acest diminea, japonezii au atacat Insula Midway. Aadar, Japonia a ntreprins o surprinztoare ofensiv extinzndu-se n ntreaga regiune pacific. ntmplrile de ieri i de astzi vorbesc de la sine. Populaia Statelor Unite i-a format deja prerea i a neles chiar i implicrile (ameninrile) privind viaa i sigurana naiunii noastre. n calitate de comandant suprem al Armatei i forei militare maritime, am ordonat s se ia toate msurile pentru aprarea noastr. Iar naiunea noastr i va aduce aminte de acest atac violent asupra noastr. Indiferent de ct de mult va dura s nvingem aceast invazie premeditat, poporul american prin puterea sa virtuoas (dreapt, ndreptit) va reui s obin victoria absolut. Cred c vorbesc i n numele Congresului i al naiunii cnd afirm c nu numai c ne vom apra cu toat fora, dar ne vom i asigura c aceast form de trdare nu ne va mai pune niciodat n pericol.

Ostilitile exist. Nu se poate nega faptul c poporul nostru, teritoriul nostru i interesele noastre sunt n mare pericol. Cu ncredere n forele noastre armate, cu determinarea covritoare (ndrjit) a poporului nostru, vom obine fr ndoial triumful Dumnezeu s ne ajute! Cer Congresului s declare c, din momentul atacului neprovocat i mielesc al Japoniei din duminic, 7 decembrie 1941, s-a declanat o stare de conflict ntre Statele Unite i Imperiul Japoniei.