The attack on Pearl Harbor transformed American politics in an instant.

The interventionist and the America firster no longer had anything to argue about.

On December 8th, everyone in America was on the same page.

Defeat Japan.

But the Japanese were hardly resting on their laurels.

Japanese land and naval forces were attacking across the Pacific, from Malaya to Midway.

Welcome to the history of the 20th century.

...of the 20th century.

... Episode 353. Episode 353, a date which will live in infamy.

The afternoon of December 7, Franklin Roosevelt met with his military leaders to discuss putting America's army and navy onto a wartime footing.

Secretary of State Hall was directed to reach out to the governments of the Latin American nations

to ask for their support and cooperation.

He directed the army to provide protection for the Japanese embassy in Washington

and Japan's consulates across the United States.

At 5 o'clock, he called in his secretary and dictated to her the address he planned to give before Congress tomorrow.

It was surprisingly short, about 500 words.

Roosevelt's cabinet met at 8.30 that evening.

Roosevelt began the meeting by telling the members

that this would be the most important American cabinet meeting since 1861.

He directed Navy Secretary Knox to investigate why Pearl Harbor had been caught off guard. Roosevelt would later relieve Admiral Kimmel,

the commander of the Pacific Fleet, and Admiral Stark, chief of naval operations,

and force them into retirement.

...