Take a Moment

[Mr. Brooks]

And remember those men we lost this day in 1941.

[TGO David]

Definitely. I was just thinking about this a few minutes ago. I'm glad someone posted it!

[Im Neero]

Never forget those that gave their lives so that we do not have to.

[Guest Len]

For the younger members of the board, or those needing a history refresher:

December 7: General Interest

1941 : Pearl Harbor bombed

At 7:55 a.m. Hawaii time, a Japanese dive bomber bearing the red

symbol of the Rising Sun of Japan on its wings appears out of the

clouds above the island of Oahu. A swarm of 360 Japanese warplanes

followed, descending on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in a

ferocious assault. The surprise attack struck a critical blow against

the U.S. Pacific fleet and drew the United States irrevocably into

World War II.

With diplomatic negotiations with Japan breaking down, President

Franklin D. Roosevelt and his advisers knew that an imminent Japanese

attack was probable, but nothing had been done to increase security at

the important naval base at Pearl Harbor. It was Sunday morning, and

many military personnel had been given passes to attend religious

services off base. At 7:02 a.m., two radio operators spotted large

groups of aircraft in flight toward the island from the north, but,

with a flight of B-17s expected from the United States at the time,

they were told to sound no alarm. Thus, the Japanese air assault came

as a devastating surprise to the naval base.

Much of the Pacific fleet was rendered useless: Five of eight

battleships, three destroyers, and seven other ships were sunk or

severely damaged, and more than 200 aircraft were destroyed. A total

of 2,400 Americans were killed and 1,200 were wounded, many while

valiantly attempting to repulse the attack. Japan's losses were some

30 planes, five midget submarines, and fewer than 100 men. Fortunately

for the United States, all three Pacific fleet carriers were out at

sea on training maneuvers. These giant aircraft carriers would have

their revenge against Japan six months later at the Battle of Midway,

reversing the tide against the previously invincible Japanese navy in

a spectacular victory.

The day after Pearl Harbor was bombed, President Roosevelt appeared

before a joint session of Congress and declared, "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." After a brief and forceful speech, he asked

Congress to approve a resolution recognizing the state of war between

the United States and Japan. The Senate voted for war against Japan by

82 to 0, and the House of Representatives approved the resolution by a

vote of 388 to 1. The sole dissenter was Representative Jeannette

Rankin of Montana, a devout pacifist who had also cast a dissenting

vote against the U.S. entrance into World War I. Three days later,

Germany and Italy declared war against the United States, and the U.S.

government responded in kind.

The American contribution to the successful Allied war effort spanned

four long years and cost more than 400,000 American lives.

This comes from "This Day in History," a feature of The History Channel. It gets sent to me via email daily. www.history.com if you want yours. I got into the habit of using it in some of my classes.

[molonlabetn]

Jeanette Rankin = 1st female member of Congress, and a co-founder of the ACLU...

...The first of many of her kind.

[Rightwinger]

To bad stupidity doesn't breed itself out of the race!

[Guest EasilyObsessed]

It might if we stopped supporting stupidity and laziness with programs like welfare.

[molonlabetn]

To bad stupidity doesn't breed itself out of the race!

The current system favors irresponsibility, laziness, and stupidity by making those traits easier to live with than hard work and legitimate accomplishment...

[Guest CrazyLincoln]

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives: yesterday, December 7th, 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 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

They don't give speeches like they used to.

[Guest Valkyrie]

[fury2neon]

[Guest Len]

Rankin was quite an interesting woman. I've done some research on her over the years and saw a fascinating play about her a year or two ago. She definitely was a pioneer in the rise of women's rights in this country & her pacifism was not at all unique for that time period. She also was a firearms owner (dad was a rancher). Although history proved her very wrong on her vote to not declare war in WWII, she blazed a trail for women in this country. She also was a Republican, the very first women elected to the House -4 years before women got the right to vote- and voted for military conscription in WWI. She also was one of the biggest congressional supporters of the war bonds effort (called Liberty Bonds back then). Her biggest claim to fame was probably her statement on her vote against declaring war on Japan: "As a woman, I can't go to war and I refuse to send anyone else. I vote no." In an almost-change-of heart, she voted "present" on the votes to go to war with Germany and Italy. After these votes, she chose not to run again (since she was probably the least popular person in Montana) and devoted the rest of her life to various women's rights and civil rights causes.

Jeanette Rankin = 1st female member of Congress, and a co-founder of the ACLU...

...The first of many of her kind.