December 8, 1941
Western Pacific
*Wake Island is attacked by air. A small landing force leaves Kwajalein, escorted by a cruiser and six destroyers.
*The Japanese offensive against the Philippines begins with air attacks and a landing on Bataan Island by a small force who quickly overrun the tiny garrison.
*Hong Kong is attacked by the Japanese 38th Divison. British troops fall back to a line across the neck of the Kowloon Peninsula, where they will try to hold out as long as they can.
*Japanese troops occupy the city of Shanghai and capture a small US garrison in the foreign section.
*USS Wake (PR-3), a river gunboat moored at Shanghai, is only the US vessel to surrender during World War II.
Washington DC
12:29pm EST - President Roosevelt addresses a joint session of Congress, in which he asks for a declaration of war.
"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...
...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 unbounded 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 seventh, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire."
Read the entire text of his speech here: http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/PTO/Eas ... nfamy.html
Listen to his speech here: http://www.umkc.edu/lib/spec-col/ww2/Pe ... speech.htm
1:10pm - The House votes for war, 388 to 1. The single dissenting vote is cast by Representative Jeannette Rankin of Montana, who had also voted against a declaration of war in 1917.
4:10pm - President Roosevelt signs the declaration of war against the Japanese Empire.
Pearl Harbor
The sun sets as Enterprise begins its journey up the channel towards Pearl Harbor. No one could remember when a carrier had attempted that channel after sunset. After seeing the devastation wrought by the Japanese, Admiral Halsey is reported as saying "Before we're through with 'em, the Japanese language will be spoken in H***!"
Enterprise is refueled and reprovisioned in record time and by 4:00am the next morning, she is back at sea.
Europe
*Great Britain declares war on Japan.
*The Netherlands declares war on Japan.
*Russian 16th army recaptures Krijukovo.
West Coast of US
San Francisco has its first blackout, at 6:15 PM
Dawn
Pearl Harbor plus 1
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