日本偷袭珍珠港后第二天，罗斯福总统发表电视演说：　　
　　 Yesterday, December 7th 1941, a date which will live infamy. The United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the empire Japan. It is obvious that planning the attack began many 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 military forces. I regret to tell you, that over 3,000 American lives have been lost. 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.
　　 Because of this unprovoked dastardly attack by Japan, I ask that the Congress declare a state of war.
　　昨天，1941年12月7日，将永远成为我们的耻辱日。美利坚合众国突然遭到了日本蓄谋已久的海、空军的袭击。很显然，这次袭击是经过多日策划的。在此之前，日本政府故意使用虚假的情报和信息企图寻求和平。昨天发生在夏威夷岛上的袭击，使美国军队遭受了重创。我沉痛地告诉你们，有3000多美国人失去了生命。不过，无论抵抗侵略者的困难有多么艰巨，勇敢正义的美国人民必将获得最后的胜利！
　　因为日本发动了这一卑鄙的、挑衅式的袭击，我要求国会宣布全国进入战争状态。
　　演说发表完毕后，罗斯福在白宫的国会会议上……
　　 Gentlemen, most of you did not know me when I had the use of my legs. I was strong and proud and arrogant. Now I wonder every hour of my life, why God put me into this chair. But when I see defeat in the eyes of my countrymen in your eyes, right now, I start to think that maybe he brought me down for times like these when we all need to be reminded who we truly are that we will not give up or give in.
　先生们，在我还四肢健全时你们大多数人都不知道我。那时的我强壮、妄自尊大、傲慢无比。现在的我，时时刻刻都在质问上帝为什么要把我放在这个轮椅之上。但是现在我看到了在你们眼中有着和我们的国民同样的恐惧时，我想上帝让我数次承受挫折的原因和你们一样，就是要让我们自己认识到我们是永不放弃、永不屈服的人。　
　　1942年4月18日，罗斯福在美国轰炸东京的同时发表演说。
　　 From Berlin, Rome, Tokyo, we have been described as a nation of weaklings and playboys who hire British, Russian, or Chinese soldiers to do our fighting for us. Let them repeat that now. Let them tell that to General MacArthur and his men. Let them tell that to the soldiers who today are fighting hard in the far waters of the Pacific. Let them tell that to the boys in the flying fortresses. Let them tell that to the Marines.　
　　在柏林、罗马、东京，我们被人说成是一个只有懦夫和纨绔子弟的国家，我们只会雇佣英国、苏联或者中国的军队替我们来打仗。现在，让他们再说一遍吧！让他们去对麦克阿瑟将军和他的士兵们说吧！让他们去对今-血奋战在太平洋战场上的勇士们说吧！让他们去对在空中堡垒中战士们说吧！让他们去对我们的海军陆战队员说吧！