December 7th, 1941 A Date Which Will Live in Infamy

On this date in 1941, the Japanese Navy launched a dastardly sneak attack against American naval and air forces stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii thrusting America into the second world war.

Our enemies, Imperial Japan, Nazi Germany and fascist Italy were resoundingly defeated.  The terms of surrender being unconditional, America could very well have incorporated these nations into her own empire.  In an act of great magnanimity, America helped rebuild the countries she destroyed.  Their acts of aggression forgiven, today those nations are our friends and allies.

It was not then, nor now, America's desire to create an empire, but to live in peace and prosperity with our brothers and sisters, around the globe.  Regrettably, the evil forces that have existed since the beginning of time, allow us to realize that dream but for brief periods.  It is only with the sacrifice of much blood and treasure, that the blessings of liberty are preserved for the next generation.

With each passing day, the number of those who lived through that day, dwindles.  It is up to us, the generations that were born and raised by America's Greatest Generation, to assure that our posterity is taught about that period of time when prejudices were put aside, and all Americans united as one in the cause of defeating tyranny, and preserving freedom.

In the above video, President Delano Roosevelt delivers his famous "Day of Infamy" speech.