a date which will live in infamy

ibiblio.org/hyperwar
On December 8, 1941, in an address delivered to a joint session of the two houses of Congress, the President said: "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." He related that even while the attack was in preparation and naval vessels in movement toward Hawaii, "the Japanese Government . . . deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace." He reported that Japanese forces had also launched attacks against Malaya, Hongkong, Guam, the Philippine Islands, Wake Island, and Midway Island. "Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area." He asked that "Congress declare that, since the unprovided and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire."