- The document is a draft of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Day of Infamy” speech, delivered to Congress on December 8, 1941, the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
- The handwritten edits show Roosevelt refining the language for maximum rhetorical impact: “suddenly” was added to emphasize the surprise nature of the attack; “infamy” replaced “history” to convey moral outrage; and phrases like “Dahlu” (likely meant to be “Hawaii”) and “Manila” were inserted to specify locations.
- Key revisions include changing “was continuing the conversation” to “still in conversation,” reinforcing that the U.S. was peace-seeking at the moment of attack.
- The phrase “a date which will live in infamy” became one of the most famous lines in American political rhetoric, framing the attack as a treacherous act deserving of national resolve.
- The draft reveals Roosevelt’s intent to portray Japan as deceitful — noting that diplomatic negotiations were ongoing even as the attack was being carried out — thereby justifying a declaration of war.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of pearl harbor worksheet high school.
