The Second Most Memorable Quote from this Day in History

Japan’s attack on the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii occurred 75 years ago today.  In his address to the U.S. Congress (which was delivered the next day, but which will forever be associated with December 7), President Franklin D. Roosevelt memorably and accurately declared December 7 “a date which will live in infamy.” 

Half a world away from Pearl Harbor, as night fell just outside of London on the evening of the 7th, Winston Churchill’s dinner guests included John Winant, U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Averell Harriman, FDR’s special envoy to Europe. 

By that point, Britain had been at war with Germany for more than two years.  France, Belgium, the Netherlands and every other fighting ally had fallen. Britain stood alone against Italy and Nazi Germany, hoping that America would join her in the battle.  President Roosevelt, faced with an isolationist congress and a generally isolationist public could provide little more than moral support, a modest flotilla of rusted ships, and World War I vintage rifles.

After dinner, as the diplomats and statesmen retired to listen to the news on the radio, reports began to trickle in about out an attack by “the Japanese” on “Americans.” Churchill placed a call to President Roosevelt and asked “What’s this about Japan.” Roosevelt replied: “They have attacked us at Pearl Harbor. We are all in the same boat now.”

Churchill was alternately horrified and energized. In short order America and Britain declared war on Japan.  Germany declared war on America.  America and Britain were fighting allies.

Ever inclined to decisive action, Churchill was encamped in the White House by Christmas.  He and President Roosevelt began the initial groundwork for the alliance that would save the world.

Churchill recognized, empathized and sympathized with the impact on America of the Pearl Harbor attack.  But, above all, he knew that Britain no longer stood alone.  He had no doubt that Britain and America together would win the war. America’s horrific launching point in the war was a critical turning point for Britain.

In his war memoir, in a chapter titled “War Comes to America,” Churchill notes that on that night: “I slept the sleep of the saved and thankful.”

Originally posted to LinkedIn on December 7, 2016