Attack on Pearl Harbor: December 7h, 1941
No dia 7 de
dezembro de 1941 aconteceu algo extraordinário na História Mundial. O Japão
executou um impresionante e avassalador ataque de surpresa à base americana de
Pearl Harbor no Havaí. Essa foi a causa direta da entrada dos Estados Unidos na
Segunda Guerra Mundial. As perdas militares e humanas ( além dos feridos, quase
2.400 soldados morreram) foram enormes e desencadearam uma grande onda de patriotismo
e, obviamente de desejo de vingança por todo o país (ver links abaixo).
Vários
filmes foram feitos a respeito do evento, incluindo um que leva o mesmo nome em
2001, com artistas do peso de Alec Baldwin, Ben Affleck, Kate Beckinsale e outros, dirigido por
Michael Bay (ver links abaixo).
Infamy Speech
(Discurso proferido pelo Franklin Delano Roosevelt no dia em que declarou guerra ao Japão:
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Pearl Harbor Speech, December 8, 1941
To the Congress of the United States
Yesterday, Dec. 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 the
government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the
Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air
squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United
States and his colleagues delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to
a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to
continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint
of war or 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. 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.
This morning, the Japanese attacked
Midway Island.
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a
surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of
yesterday 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.
Always will we 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 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 very certain that this form of treachery shall
never endanger us again.
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, Dec. 7, a state
of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.
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