Today in World War II History—December 8, 1941
Pres. Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivers his “Day of Infamy” speech to Congress on December 8, 1941. Behind him are Vice President Henry Wallace (left) and Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn. To the right, in uniform in front of Rayburn, is Roosevelt’s son James, who escorted his father to the Capitol (US National Archives)
80 Years Ago—Dec. 8, 1941: President Roosevelt makes “date which will live in infamy” speech to Congress about the Pearl Harbor attack.
US House votes 388-1 and Senate votes 82-0 to declare war on Japan; Roosevelt signs at 5:10 pm.
Japanese attack US airfields in the Philippines, destroying 123 aircraft.
Japanese forces land in Thailand and Malaya.
Air raid alerts occur in San Francisco, and in Seattle, a mob throws rocks at lights to enforce the blackout.
Jeanette Rankin of Montana was the no vote. She’d voted no for the World War One declaration of war as well.
A dubious record indeed. To her credit, she abstained from the vote on Dec. 11 to declare war on Germany. And I have to admire such dedication to principle.