Franklin D. Roosevelt's Address to Congress, December 8, 1941

FDR's "Day of Infamy" Speech - Audio Only

Shortly after noon on December 8, 1941, FDR left the White House to deliver his war message to a joint session of Congress. Eleanor Roosevelt and his son, James, accompanied him in the presidential motorcade. Roosevelt traveled in a bullet-proof limousine confiscated years before from mobster Al Capone.

Police and soldiers guarded every block of Pennsylvania Avenue as the motorcade sped to the Capitol. More police, soldiers, and Secret Service agents were waiting at the Capitol building as FDR’s car pulled up. He was taken by wheelchair to a room just off the floor of the House of Representatives.

At 12:29 p.m. a voice in the House chamber called out “The President of the United States!” Roosevelt appeared at the back of the room, standing with the aid of his heavy leg braces. Thunderous applause greeted him as he moved slowly and carefully down the center aisle to the Speaker’s rostrum, supporting his weight on a cane and his son’s strong arm as he thrust his body forward.

At the podium, Roosevelt greeted the Vice President and the Speaker of the House. Then, as Congress and the largest radio audience in history listened, he began one the most important speeches in American history.