DESERET NEWS, Dec. 8, 1941, WASHINMGTON (AP) -- The Senate, acting with unprecedented swiftness, voted today to declare war on Japan. House worked fast to seal its fateful decision with a vote of its own.
(Same day) President Roosevelt asked Congress today to declare was against Japan. He made the solemn, historic request after disclosing to the nation that yesterday's sudden Japanese attack on Hawaii had cost the United States two warships and 3,000 dead and wounded.(Excerpts from the war declaration:) Whereas the imperial Japanese government has committed unprovoked acts of war against the government and the people of the United States:
Therefore, let it be resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United Sttes of America in Congress assembled that the state of war (exists) between the United States and the imperial Japanese government.
The Dec. 8 declaration was swiftly followed by a formal announcement of war against Germany, making early December 1941 one of the most important time blocks in American history. Many Utah lives were lost in the two areas of operation.