100k views
5 votes
Does anyone know the "Day of Infamy" Speech?

User Bbrodsky
by
8.5k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

The "Day of Infamy" Speech was delivered by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor, marking the US entry into World War II and showing the power of rhetorical devices in presidential addresses.

Step-by-step explanation:

The "Day of Infamy" Speech is a historical address delivered by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the US Congress on December 8, 1941, following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. In this speech, Roosevelt declared December 7th as "a date which will live in infamy" and highlighted the surprise nature of the attack, framing it as "sudden and deliberately" orchestrated by the Empire of Japan. The speech successfully galvanized the American public and led to Congress passing a formal declaration of war against Japan, thereby entering the United States into World War II.

Interestingly, when analyzing the speech, it is not only the content that is impactful but also Roosevelt's use of rhythmic cadence and rhetorical devices, giving the impression of imminent danger and further emphasizing the calculated nature of the attack. The address is a pivotal moment in American history and rhetoric, evidencing how powerful words can be in shaping public policy and national direction.

User Maddy D
by
7.7k points