Read the passage. Text version. "Day of Infamy" Speech by Franklin Delano Roosevelt Following Japan's attack of the United State
s Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt delivered a speech to a joint session of Congress. Congress would subsequently issue a declaration of war and the United States would enter World War ll.
Draft No. 1
December 7, 1941
Proposed Message to Congress
Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a day which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of Japan.
The United States, at the moment, was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, and 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 Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or 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 continued hope for peace. The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been 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 Guam. Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday 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. Long will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. Handwritten note: 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.
Read paragraph 4 of the draft of Franklin D. Roosevelt's Day of Infamy speech and then listen to the audio recording. In delivering the speech, Roosevelt adds the phrase, “I regret to inform you” to the sentence, “Very many American lives have been lost.” He then takes a long pause before continuing. Why does Roosevelt add this phrase to his speech and take the long pause?
He adds the phrase and the pause to make the tone of the speech seem more formal.
The phrase and the pause enable Roosevelt to emphasize the emotional impact of this tragic loss of life.
The phrase and the pause help Roosevelt to slow the pace of his speech so he can catch his breath.
Roosevelt adds the phrase and the pause to stress the personal responsibility he feels for allowing this tragedy to take place.
