On the morning of 11 December, the Government of Germany,
pursuing its course of world conquest, declared war against the United
States.
The long-known and the long-expected has thus taken place. The forces
endeavoring to enslave the entire world now are moving toward this hemisphere.
Never before has there been a greater challenge to life, liberty, and
civilization.
Delay invites greater danger. Rapid and united effort by all of the
peoples of the world who are determined to remain free will ensure a
world victory of the forces of justice and of righteousness over the
forces of savagery and of barbarism.
Italy also has
declared war against the United States.
I therefore request the Congress to recognize a state
of war between the United States and Germany, and between the United
States and Italy.