United States Declaration of War upon Japan
After the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, the United States Congress declared war upon the Empire of Japan on December 8th, 1941. The declaration was created and voted upon just one hour after U.S. President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, delivered his now famous “Day of Infamy” speech. During the speech, the President formally requested the declaration addressed to a joint session of the U.S. congress at 12:30 PM on December 8th.
The declaration of war was shortly brought to a vote where it passed in the Senate on an 82 to 0 vote in favor, and 388 to 1 in the U.S.
Date: 8 December 1941
House of Representatives. The only vote against the declaration was by committed Pacifist, Jeannette Rankin. The declaration was signed by President Roosevelt at 4:10 pm on December 8th, 1941. Although the signature of the President is not technically required to declare war in the U.S. after a congressional vote, the act of the President signing the declaration removed any doubts on the stance of the United States after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Text of the U.S. Declaration of War upon Japan
JOINT RESOLUTION Declaring that a state of war exists between the Imperial Government of Japan and the Government and the people of the United States and making provisions to prosecute the same.
Whereas the Imperial Government of Japan has committed unprovoked acts of war against the Government and the people of the United States of America:
Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the state of war between the United States and the Imperial Government of Japan which has thus been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared; and the President is hereby authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and the resources of the Government to carry on war against the Imperial Government of Japan; and, to bring the conflict to a successful termination, all the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United States.
Video of the U.S. Declaration of War upon Japan
U.S. Declaration of War upon Japan References
Annotated Draft of the “Day of Infamy” Speech: Joint Address to Congress Leading to a Declaration of War Against Japan, U.S. National Archives, last accessed on March 24th, 2013.
Kluckhorn, Frank L. “U.S. Declares War, Pacific Battle Widens” New York Times. A1, December 9, 1941. Last accessed March 24th, 2013.
University of Oklahoma Law Department, U.S. Declaration of War Upon Japan, Last Accessed 24 March 2013.
