![]() Given what we know of his eloquence, this was clearly a deliberate choice, and was intended to further strengthen his appeal to declare war. Speaking Passively in a Time of ActionĮvery writer knows that using the active voice is almost always preferred, yet in many parts of the speech, Roosevelt employed the passive voice. ![]() Roosevelt was saying that because of the horrific events that had occurred the day before, the date would be seared in everyone’s memory. The date, however, was December 7, 1941, and that would happen only once. Sundays come around once a week and they can’t all be infamous. This is sometimes misquoted as a “day” that would live in infamy, but there is a very clear distinction between those two words. During his speech, Roosevelt called Decema “date which will live in infamy.” The speech starts with a very calculated choice of words that’s so subtle that it’s easy to miss. “Date”ĭecembecame a date which would live in infamy. Let’s have a look at a few of its distinctive features. Breaking Down Roosevelt’s Day of Infamy SpeechĮver since it was delivered, scholars of Pearl Harbor history have been examining the speech from every angle to explain its profound impact. ![]() But is it really a surprise that a speech intended to reach that outcome succeeded so well, especially since the attack was still so fresh the nation’s consciousness? Clearly, Roosevelt’s words were carefully chosen to guarantee the declaration of war, even though it was likely that Congress would have voted in favor of it anyway. ![]() The speech was so effective that Roosevelt was able to secure a near-unanimous vote to go to war with Japan. ![]() His address, known as the “Day of Infamy” speech, was brilliant and passionate, and would go down as one of the most important speeches ever made by an American president. Roosevelt appeared before a joint session of the United States Congress to discuss the events that unfolded at Pearl Harbor the previous day. On Monday, December 8, 1941, President Franklin D. President Roosevelt Delivers the Day of Infamy Speech to Congress ![]()
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