Facing Down Infamy

The History Channel Magazine, November/December 2011

John Prosper 4
The article Facing Down Infamy is written from a different view of the after effects of
Pearl Harbor. Most people know the quote A day which will live in infamy, but a lot of people
dont understand the meaning behind it. The article goes to great lengths to explain what was
happening at this time in American history. President Roosevelt had lived through Woodrow
Wilsons address regarding American intentions in the First World War. He understood what it
meant to be giving a war declaration speech. The article takes a unique perspective on the
deliverance of his speech, what happened during his speech, and the results of his speech.
This speech ties in with what we are learning in American History because we are
learning about World War 2. Even though we have learned about World War 2 in several history
classes this article is different from anything else we have ever learned. Pearl Harbor was a tragic
day during World War 2. Prior to it, the United States had not entered World War 2. This was the
brink. The culmination of what we expected not to occur happened. We were under the
impression that Japans intentions were to remain peaceful with the United States, rather they did
the exact opposite.
I rather liked the article. My grandfather was a World War 2 veteran so ever since I was a
young child I liked learning about World War 2. This specific article is something my grandfather
talked about. He remembers listening to his address. He remembers his famous words that it was

a day that will live in infamy. The article presents a different perspective than other articles about
his speech. The articles talks about how President Roosevelt was more focused, while being lost
in the gravity of what he was about to say. Reporters observed that he wasnt trembling like in
his State of the Union prior that year. I like that article because it goes more in depth than just
barely touching it like other historical texts I have read while in school.
One thing I never knew prior to reading this article is that he was driven in Al Capones
car. I found that to be strange. I knew about the metal braces and some of the facts surrounding
the speech.
President Roosevelts speech will remain in history due to its significance and the words
spoken that day. Almost 4 hours after his speech, the United States was in World War 2. It was
the tipping point of the war. Prior we just gave support to the Allied nations. Now we stepped in,
got our boots a little dirty, and helped in the wartime effort that may not have happened if
Roosevelt had not given that speech.