美國第32任總統富蘭克林·D·羅斯福(Franklin D. Roosevelt )(1933—1945)，一直被視為美國歷史上最偉大的總統之一，是20世紀美國最孚眾望和受愛戴的總統，也是美國歷史上惟一連任4屆總統的人，從1933年3月起，直到1945年4月去世時為止，任職長達12年。曾贏得美國民眾長達7周的高支持率，創下歷史記錄。
富蘭克林·德拉諾·羅斯福出生於紐約。父親詹姆斯·羅斯福是一個百萬富翁。母親薩拉·德拉諾比父親小26歲。羅斯福曾就讀於哈佛大學和哥倫比亞大學。1910年任紐約州參議員。1913年任海軍部副部長。1921年因患脊髓灰質炎致殘。1928年任紐約州長。1932年競選總統獲勝。執政後，以“新政”對付經濟危機，頗有成效，故獲得1936年、1940年、1944年大選連任。第二次世界大戰初，美國採取不介入政策，但對希特勒採取強硬手段，以“租借法”支持同盟國。1941年底，美國參戰。羅斯福代表美國兩次參加同盟國“三巨頭”會議。羅斯福政府提出了軸心國必須無條件投降的原則並得到了實施。羅斯福提出了建立聯合國的構想，也得到了實施。63歲時由於腦溢血去世。
很多網友相信都看過電影《珍珠港》(Pearl Harbor)，第二次世界大戰在歐亞大陸打的如火如荼，而跨海相隔的美國卻隔岸觀火，仿佛事不關己。直到1941年12月7日早晨7點53分，日本突襲美軍在夏威夷的基地珍珠港。次日，美國總統羅斯福在國會憤然發表了這篇的演說，至此，太平洋戰爭全面爆發。
Yesterday, December 7th, 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.
昨天，1941年12月7日──它將永遠成為國恥日──美利堅合眾國遭到了日本帝國海空軍預謀的突然襲擊。
Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
昨天日本政府也發動了對馬來地區的進攻。
昨夜日本軍隊進攻了香港。
昨夜日本軍隊進攻關島。
昨夜日本軍隊進攻菲律賓群島。
昨夜日本軍隊進攻威克島。
今晨日本軍隊進攻了中途島。
演講下載
【羅斯福：國會珍珠港演說(Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation)MP3下載連結】
演講全文：Pearl Harbor Address to the Nation
Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:
Yesterday, December 7th, 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.
The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation 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 that 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 it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
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 unbounding 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 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.
