Day of Infamy: Courage That Follows Shock
| Category: | Defining Moments |
|---|---|
| Notes: | President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed Congress after the Pearl Harbor attack, calling December 7 "a date which will live in infamy." |
Day of Infamy: Courage That Follows Shock
On December 8, 1941-one day after the attack on Pearl Harbor-President Franklin D. Roosevelt stood before Congress and delivered words that would echo through history:
"Yesterday, December 7, 1941-a date which will live in infamy-the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked…"
His voice was steady. His message was clear: America would not crumble. It would respond with strength, unity, and courage.
In the days that followed, millions of Americans answered the call-some with uniforms, others with factory tools, medical kits, or volunteer hours. It was a turning point-not just in war, but in national character.
Scouts don't panic when things go wrong. We steady ourselves. We help. We lead. FDR's words remind us that in moments of crisis, the world looks for calm voices and strong hearts-and we can be those people.