36
the attack on pearl harbor
IV
INFAMOUS DATE
President Roosevelt learned of the attack 10 minutes
after it began. By afternoon, radio stations had spread
the news. People across the country showed their patri-
otism. Many communities held
vigils
. Those who had
once been against war now supported it. Young men
rushed to sign up for military service.
On December 8, President Roosevelt addressed
Congress. He called December 7, 1941, “a date which
will live in
infamy
.” Congress declared war on Japan.
Within three days, the U.S. was also at war with the
other Axis nations, Germany and Italy.
At first, Japan dominated battles in the Pacific. Jap-
anese forces invaded the Philippines, Guam, Wake
Island, Thailand, and Hong Kong. The Pacific Fleet
had suffered many losses. But sailors at Pearl Harbor
worked to rebuild the ships damaged in the attack.
