7 5 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y C O M M E M O R AT I V E S P E C I A L S E C T I O N
“Yesterday, Dec. 7, 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 the 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 colleagues 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 hope for continued 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 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,
A day of infamy
Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. • Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island. • This morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island. • 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. • Always will we 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 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 very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again. • 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 SURPRISE AT PEARL HARBOR: Congress declare that since the unprovokedWE and dastardly attack byTHE Japan on Sunday, Dec. 7, a state of war has WHY DIDN’T EXPECT ATTACK?
the unbounding determination of our people – we will gain the inevitable triumph – so help us God. • I ask that the
existed between the United StatesAUTHOR and the Japanese empire.” • – Transcribed video in the National Archives BY STEVE TWOMEY, OF “COUNTDOWN TO PEARL HARBOR: THE TWELVE from DAYS TO THE ATTACK”
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eventy-five years ago today, in a private home not far from New York City, a group of journalists and government officials was enjoying a mid-afternoon Sunday dinner when the telephone rang. The Japanese had attacked the Territory of Hawaii. “To that, there was instant reaction,” a guest wrote later. The report could only be a hoax. “And that was the judgment of all at the table.” That immense, confident, superior America could be surprised, that its glorious Navy could be caught so unaware and could be so deeply wounded by such a smaller nation, was beyond belief, literally. That evening, Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau said over and over to his staff that he could not understand how this could have happened.
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Inside An attack that lasted about two hours surprises the nation. Page 2 “America is speechless:” An excerpt from author Steve Twomey’s new book examines the emotions and reactions after the attack. Page 7 Survivors recount 75 years of memories and traditions honoring those who were lost. Page 10
The country spent years dissecting that question, through multiple official inquiries. The answers are relevant today, not because secret enemy fleets might come stalking again, but because the mistakes of 1941 were so human, the sort all of us make all the time. None was more fatal on Dec. 7 than unwarranted assumption. That Japan couldn’t and wouldn’t do it, that the right protective steps were being taken, that troubling new information wasn’t all that troubling. But even knowing far more today than Morgenthau did that night as the stunned citizens of Washington sang “God Bless America,” we circle back to his query, one of the most compelling in the nation’s history. How did they not see it coming?
PUBLISHED DEC. 7, 2016