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Franklin D. Roosevelt's address to joint session of Congress (December 8, 1941)

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President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Presidential addresses
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On Dec. 8, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered an address to a joint session of Congress at 12:30 p.m. EST. Roosevelt used the address to request that Congress declare war against Japan in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor that had happened the day prior.[1] The famous "Day of Infamy" speech was approximately six minutes long, totaling about 500 words.[2]

The president can deliver a joint address before both the House of Representatives and Senate upon invitation from both chambers. This is typically done by presidents in order to speak on specific topics.

Joint sessions require both chambers to pass concurrent resolutions to conduct formal business. [3]

Roosevelt’s address to a joint session of Congress

Video

Transcript

The following text is a transcript of Roosevelt's address, as prepared for delivery:

“

Mr. Vice President, and Mr. Speaker, and Members of the Senate and House of Representatives:

Yesterday, December 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 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 the American Island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of 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. I regret to tell you that 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 Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island. And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today 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.

But always will our whole Nation 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 that 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 it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

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 unbounding determination of our people -- we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.[4]

”
—President Franklin D. Roosevelt (D), Dec. 8, 1941 [1]

Designated survivor

For some speeches, a member of the president's Cabinet is chosen to stay in an undisclosed location outside of Washington, D.C. to assume the presidency in case of an attack on Congress, the president, and other high-ranking officials.

While designated survivors have been chosen since at least the 1960s, the federal government did not begin revealing the identity of the designated survivor to the public until 1984.[5]

Background

The following table provides a list of annual and other presidential addresses delivered to joint sessions of Congress between 1790 and 2025. It does not include inaugurations. Click the link in the Occasion or topic column to read more about each address. The information was compiled from the U.S. House of Representatives Office of the Historian.[6]

  • President Woodrow Wilson (D), whose administration overlapped with World War I, delivered the most addresses: 23.
  • President Franklin D. Roosevelt (D) followed with 19 addresses, which included a joint speech with the ambassador of France in 1934 and an address read before Congress on his behalf in 1945. World War II took place during his administration.
  • President Harry S. Truman had the third-most addresses at 16. His administration covered the end of World War II and the beginning of the Cold War.
  • Among presidents who served between 1981 and 2025, Presidents Ronald Reagan (R) and Barack Obama (D) delivered the most addresses with 11 and 10, respectively.
Presidential addresses to joint sessions of Congress
Date Session of Congress Occasion or topic President and other speaking dignitaries
March 4, 2025 119th Congress Address President Donald J. Trump
March 7, 2024 118th Congress State of the Union Address President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
February 7, 2023 118th Congress State of the Union Address President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
March 1, 2022 117th Congress State of the Union Address President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
April 28, 2021 117th Congress Address President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Feb. 4, 2020 116th Congress State of the Union Address President Donald J. Trump
Feb. 5, 2019 116th Congress State of the Union Address President Donald J. Trump
Jan. 30, 2018 115th Congress State of the Union Address President Donald J. Trump
Feb. 28, 2017 115th Congress Address President Donald J. Trump
Jan. 12, 2016 114th Congress State of the Union Address President Barack H. Obama
Jan. 20, 2015 114th Congress State of the Union Address President Barack H. Obama
Jan. 28, 2014 113th Congress State of the Union Address President Barack H. Obama
Feb. 12, 2013 113th Congress State of the Union Address President Barack H. Obama
Jan. 24, 2012 112th Congress State of the Union Address President Barack H. Obama
Sept. 8, 2011 112th Congress Address on American Jobs Act President Barack H. Obama
Jan. 25, 2011 112th Congress State of the Union Address President Barack H. Obama
Jan. 27, 2010 111th Congress State of the Union Address President Barack H. Obama
Sept. 8, 2009 111th Congress Address on Health Care Reform President Barack H. Obama
Feb. 24, 2009 111th Congress Address President Barack H. Obama
Jan. 28, 2008 110th Congress State of the Union Address President George W. Bush
Jan. 23, 2007 110th Congress State of the Union Address President George W. Bush
Jan. 31, 2006 109th Congress State of the Union Address President George W. Bush
Feb. 2, 2005 109th Congress State of the Union Address President George W. Bush
Jan. 20, 2004 108th Congress State of the Union Address President George W. Bush.
Jan. 28, 2003 108th Congress State of the Union Address President George W. Bush.
Jan. 29, 2002 107th Congress State of the Union Address President George W. Bush.
Sept. 20, 2001 107th Congress Address on the War on Terrorism President George W. Bush.
Feb. 27, 2001 107th Congress Budget Message President George W. Bush.
Jan. 27, 2000 106th Congress State of the Union Address President William J. Clinton.
Jan. 19, 1999 106th Congress State of the Union Address President William J. Clinton.
Jan. 27, 1998 105th Congress State of the Union Address President William J. Clinton.
Feb. 4, 1997 105th Congress State of the Union Address President William J. Clinton.
Jan. 23, 1996 104th Congress State of the Union Address President William J. Clinton.
Jan. 24, 1995 104th Congress State of the Union Address President William J. Clinton.
Jan. 25, 1994 103rd Congress State of the Union Address President William J. Clinton.
Sept. 22, 1993 103rd Congress Address on Health Care Reform President William J. Clinton.
Feb. 17, 1993 103rd Congress Economic Address President William J. Clinton.
Jan. 28, 1992 102nd Congress State of the Union Address President George Bush.
Mar. 6, 1991 102nd Congress Conclusion of Persian Gulf War President George Bush.
Jan. 29, 1991 102nd Congress State of the Union Address President George Bush.
Sept. 11, 1990 101st Congress Invasion of Kuwait by Iraq President George Bush.
Jan. 31, 1990 101st Congress State of the Union Address President George Bush.
Feb. 9, 1989 101st Congress Address on Building a Better America President George Bush.
Jan. 25, 1988 100th Congress State of the Union Address President Ronald Reagan.
Jan. 27, 1987 100th Congress State of the Union Address President Ronald Reagan.
Feb. 4, 1986 99th Congress State of the Union Address President Ronald Reagan.
Nov. 21, 1985 99th Congress Address on Geneva Summit President Ronald Reagan.
Feb. 6, 1985 99th Congress State of the Union Address President Ronald Reagan.
Jan. 25, 1984 98th Congress State of the Union Address President Ronald Reagan.
Apr. 27, 1983 98th Congress Address on Central America President Ronald Reagan.
Jan. 25, 1983 98th Congress State of the Union Address President Ronald Reagan.
Jan. 26, 1982 97th Congress State of the Union Address President Ronald Reagan.
Apr. 28, 1981 97th Congress Address on Economic Recovery--inflation President Ronald Reagan.
Feb. 18, 1981 97th Congress Address on Economic Recovery President Ronald Reagan.
Jan. 23, 1980 96th Congress State of the Union Address President Jimmy Carter.
June 18, 1979 96th Congress Address on Salt II agreements President Jimmy Carter.
Jan. 23, 1979 96th Congress State of the Union Address President Jimmy Carter.
Sept. 18, 1978 95th Congress Address on Middle East Peace agreements President Jimmy Carter; Joint session attended by Anwar El Sadat, President of Egypt, and by Menachem Begin, Prime Minister of Israel.
Jan. 19, 1978 95th Congress State of the Union Address President Jimmy Carter.
Apr. 20, 1977 95th Congress Address on Energy President Jimmy Carter.
Jan. 12, 1977 95th Congress State of the Union Address President Gerald R. Ford.
Jan. 19, 1976 94th Congress State of the Union Address President Gerald R. Ford.
Apr. 10, 1975 94th Congress Address on State of the World President Gerald R. Ford.
Jan. 15, 1975 94th Congress State of the Union Address President Gerald R. Ford.
Oct. 8, 1974 93rd Congress Address on the Economy President Gerald R. Ford.
Aug. 12, 1974 93rd Congress Assumption of office President Gerald R. Ford.
Jan. 30 1974 93rd Congress State of the Union Address President Richard M. Nixon.
June 1, 1972 92nd Congress Address on Europe trip President Richard M. Nixon.
Jan. 20, 1972 92nd Congress State of the Union Address President Richard M. Nixon.
Sept. 9, 1971 92nd Congress Address on Economic policy President Richard M. Nixon.
Jan. 22, 1971 92nd Congress State of the Union Address President Richard M. Nixon.
Jan. 22, 1970 91st Congress State of the Union Address President Richard M. Nixon.
Jan. 14, 1969 91st Congress State of the Union Address President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Jan. 17, 1968 90th Congress State of the Union Address President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Jan. 10, 1967 90th Congress State of the Union Address President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Jan. 12, 1966 89th Congress State of the Union Address President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Mar. 15, 1965 89th Congress Voting rights President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Jan. 4, 1965 89th Congress State of the Union Address President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Jan. 8, 1964 88th Congress State of the Union Address President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Nov. 27, 1963 88th Congress Assumption of office President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Jan. 14, 1963 88th Congress State of the Union Address President John F. Kennedy.
Jan. 11, 1962 87th Congress State of the Union Address President John F. Kennedy.
May 25, 1961 87th Congress Urgent national needs: foreign aid, defense, civil defense, and outer space President John F. Kennedy.
Jan. 30, 1961 87th Congress State of the Union Address President John F. Kennedy.
Jan. 7, 1960 86th Congress State of the Union Address President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Jan. 9, 1959 86th Congress State of the Union Address President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Jan. 9, 1958 85th Congress State of the Union Address President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Jan. 10, 1957 85th Congress State of the Union Address President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Jan. 5, 1957 85th Congress Address on the Middle East President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Jan. 6, 1955 84th Congress State of the Union Address President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Jan. 7, 1954 83rd Congress State of the Union Address President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Feb. 2, 1953 83rd Congress State of the Union Address President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
June 10, 1952 82nd Congress Address on Steel Strike President Harry S. Truman.
Jan. 9, 1952 82nd Congress State of the Union Address President Harry S. Truman.
Jan. 8, 1951 82nd Congress State of the Union Address President Harry S. Truman.
Jan. 4, 1950 81st Congress State of the Union Address President Harry S. Truman.
Jan. 5, 1949 81st Congress State of the Union Address President Harry S. Truman.
July 27, 1948 80th Congress Address on inflation, housing, and civil rights President Harry S. Truman.
Apr. 19, 1948 80th Congress Address on 50th anniversary, liberation of Cuba President Harry S. Truman; Guillermo Belt, Ambassador of Cuba.
Mar. 17, 1948 80th Congress National security and conditions in Europe President Harry S. Truman.
Jan. 7, 1948 80th Congress State of the Union Address President Harry S. Truman.
Nov. 17, 1947 80th Congress Address on Aid to Europe President Harry S. Truman.
Mar. 12, 1947 80th Congress Address on Greek-Turkish aid policy President Harry S. Truman.
Jan. 6, 1947 80th Congress State of the Union Address President Harry S. Truman.
May 25, 1946 79th Congress Address on Railroad Strike President Harry S. Truman.
Oct. 23, 1945 79th Congress Address on Universal Military Training President Harry S. Truman.
May 21, 1945 79th Congress Address on Bestowal of Congressional Medal of Honor to Tech. Sgt. Jake William Lindsey General George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army; President Harry S. Truman.
Apr. 16, 1945 79th Congress Address on Assumption of Office and War President Harry S. Truman.
Mar. 1, 1945 79th Congress Address on Yalta Conference President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 6, 1945 79th Congress Annual Message President Roosevelt was not present. His message was read before the Joint Session of Congress.
Jan. 11, 1944 78th Congress Annual Message President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 7, 1943 78th Congress Annual Message President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 6, 1942 77th Congress Annual Message President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Dec. 8, 1941 77th Congress Address on the "Day of Infamy" President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 6, 1941 77th Congress Annual Message President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
May 16, 1940 76th Congress Address on National Defense President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 3, 1940 76th Congress Annual Message President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Sept. 21, 1939 76th Congress Address on Neutrality President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Mar. 4, 1939 76th Congress Address on Sesquicentennial of the 1st Congress President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 4, 1939 76th Congress Annual Message President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 3, 1938 75th Congress Annual Message President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 6, 1937 75th Congress Annual Message President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 3, 1936 74th Congress Annual Message President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
May 22, 1935 74th Congress Address on Budget Bill Veto President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Jan. 4, 1935 74th Congress Annual Message President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
May 20, 1934 73rd Congress Address on 100th anniversary of the death of the Marquis de Lafayette Andre de Laboulaye, Ambassador of France; President Franklin Delano Roosevelt; ceremony attended by Count de Chambrun, great-grandson of Lafayette.
Jan. 3, 1934 73rd Congress Annual Message President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Feb. 22, 1932 72nd Congress Address on bicentennial of George Washington's birth President Herbert Hoover.
Dec. 6, 1932 72nd Congress Annual Message President Herbert Hoover.
Dec. 8, 1931 72nd Congress Annual Message President Herbert Hoover.
Dec. 2, 1930 71st Congress Annual Message President Herbert Hoover.
Dec. 3, 1929 71st Congress Annual Message President Herbert Hoover.
Dec. 4, 1928 70th Congress Annual Message President Calvin Coolidge.
Feb. 22, 1927 70th Congress Address on upcoming George Washington birthday bicentennial President Calvin Coolidge.
Dec. 6, 1927 70th Congress Annual Message President Calvin Coolidge.
Dec. 6, 1926 69th Congress Annual Message President Calvin Coolidge.
Dec. 8, 1925 69th Congress Annual Message President Calvin Coolidge.
Dec. 6, 1924 68th Congress Annual Message President Calvin Coolidge.
Dec. 3, 1923 68th Congress Annual Message President Calvin Coolidge.
Feb. 7, 1923 67th Congress Address on British debt due to the United States President Warren G. Harding.
Dec. 8, 1922 67th Congress Annual Message President Warren G. Harding.
Nov. 21, 1922 67th Congress Address on promotion of the American Merchant Marine President Warren G. Harding.
Aug. 18, 1922 67th Congress Address on coal and railroad strikes President Warren G. Harding.
Feb. 28, 1922 67th Congress Address on maintenance of the Merchant Marine President Warren G. Harding.
Dec. 6, 1921 67th Congress Annual Message President Warren G. Harding.
Apr. 12, 1921 67th Congress Federal problem message President Warren G. Harding.
Aug. 8, 1919 66th Congress Cost of living message President Woodrow Wilson.
Dec. 2, 1918 65th Congress Annual Message President Woodrow Wilson.
Nov. 11, 1918 65th Congress Terms of armistice signed by Germany President Woodrow Wilson.
May 27, 1918 65th Congress War finance message President Woodrow Wilson.
Feb. 11, 1918 65th Congress Peace message President Woodrow Wilson.
Jan. 8, 1918 65th Congress Program for world's peace President Woodrow Wilson.
Jan. 4, 1918 65th Congress Federal operation of transportation systems President Woodrow Wilson.
Dec. 4, 1917 65th Congress Annual Message/War with Austria-Hungary President Woodrow Wilson.
Apr. 2, 1917 65th Congress War with Germany President Woodrow Wilson.
Feb. 26, 1917 64th Congress Arming of merchant ships President Woodrow Wilson.
Feb. 3, 1917 64th Congress Severing diplomatic relations with Germany President Woodrow Wilson.
Dec. 5, 1916 64th Congress Annual Message President Woodrow Wilson.
Aug. 29, 1916 64th Congress Railroad message (labor-management dispute) President Woodrow Wilson.
Dec. 7, 1915 64th Congress Annual Message President Woodrow Wilson.
Dec. 8, 1914 63rd Congress Annual Message President Woodrow Wilson.
Sept. 4, 1914 63rd Congress War tax message President Woodrow Wilson.
Apr. 20, 1914 63rd Congress Mexico message President Woodrow Wilson.
Mar. 5, 1914 63rd Congress Panama Canal tolls President Woodrow Wilson.
Jan. 20, 1914 63rd Congress Trusts message President Woodrow Wilson.
Dec. 2, 1913 63rd Congress Annual Message President Woodrow Wilson.
Aug. 27, 1913 63rd Congress Mexican affairs message President Woodrow Wilson.
June 23, 1913 63rd Congress Currency and bank reform message President Woodrow Wilson.
Apr. 8, 1913 63rd Congress Tariff message President Woodrow Wilson.
Nov. 22, 1800 6th Congress Annual Message President John Adams.
Dec. 3, 1799 6th Congress Annual Message President John Adams.
Dec. 8, 1798 5th Congress Annual Message President John Adams.
Nov. 23, 1797 5th Congress Annual Message President John Adams.
May 16, 1797 5th Congress Relations with France President John Adams.
Dec. 7, 1796 4th Congress Annual Message President George Washington.
Dec. 8, 1795 4th Congress Annual Message President George Washington.
Nov. 19, 1794 3rd Congress Annual Message President George Washington.
Dec. 3, 1793 3rd Congress Annual Message President George Washington.
Nov. 6, 1792 2nd Congress Annual Message President George Washington.
Oct. 25, 1791 2nd Congress Annual Message President George Washington.
Dec. 8, 1790 1st Congress Annual Message President George Washington.
Jan. 8, 1790 1st Congress Annual Message President George Washington.

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 The American Presidency Project, “Address to Congress Requesting a Declaration of War with Japan,“ Dec. 8, 1941
  2. ↑ The National Archives, "FDR’s 'Day of Infamy' Speech," accessed March 14, 2022
  3. ↑ History, Art & Archives of the United States House of Representatives, "Joint Meetings, Joint Sessions, & Inaugurations," accessed Feb. 28, 2022
  4. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  5. ↑ United States Senate, "Cabinet Members Who Did Not Attend the State of the Union Address," accessed Feb. 23, 2022.
  6. ↑ United States House of Representatives, "Joint Meetings, Joint Sessions, & Inaugurations," accessed June 14, 2021
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