World War II
On December 8, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed Congress to ask for a declaration of war after Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Roosevelt’s speech, Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin’s lone vote against war, and security at the Capitol are discussed in a series of firsthand accounts of the World War II era. Oral histories help to provide a more complete picture of the House of Representatives during this period of global conflict.
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Image courtesy of the Library of Congress
The ladders of fire engines form a “V” in front of the Capitol.
Featured Video
The House Floor on December 8, 1941
Myles Garrigan, Page, U.S. House of Representatives
Interview recorded May 25, 2012
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Deed of Gift
Video
U.S. Declarations of War in 1941
Irving Swanson, Reading Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
Interview recorded July 13, 2005
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Deed of Gift
Security During World War II
Joe Bartlett, Clerk to the Minority, U.S. House of Representatives
Interview recorded October 12, 2006
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Deed of Gift
The House Floor on December 8, 1941
Myles Garrigan, Page, U.S. House of Representatives
Interview recorded May 25, 2012
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Deed of Gift
Lone Vote: Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin of Montana
Irving Swanson, Reading Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives
Interview recorded July 13, 2005
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Deed of Gift
Meeting President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Benjamin C. West, Superintendent, Daily Press Gallery, U.S. House of Representatives
Interview recorded May 23, 2007
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Deed of Gift
Reaction to the Attack
The Honorable John Dingell, Jr., U.S. Representative of Michigan and Son of Representative John Dingell, Sr., of Michigan
Interview recorded February 3, 2012
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Deed of Gift
The Day after Pearl Harbor
The Honorable John Dingell, Jr., U.S. Representative of Michigan and Son of Representative John Dingell, Sr., of Michigan
Interview recorded February 3, 2012
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Deed of Gift
Audio
Memories of Representative Jeannette Rankin
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Memories of Representative Jeannette Rankin
Joe Bartlett, Clerk to the Minority, U.S. House of Representatives
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Joe Bartlett, Clerk to the Minority, U.S. House of Representatives
Interview recorded April 7, 2006
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Deed of Gift
Images & Artifacts
Declaration of War Against Japan
/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_evnt_wwii_fdrjs_hc.xml
On December 8, 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt asked a Joint Session of Congress to declare war against Japan in response to the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
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Declaration of War Against Germany and Italy
/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_evnt_wwii_fdrjs_wide_hc.xml
On December 11, 1941, just three days after declaring war against Japan, the House approved a declaration of war against Germany and Italy. Reading Clerk Irving Swanson read President Roosevelt's short message to the House.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives
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Declaration of War Gavel
/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_evnt_wwii_rayburngavel_hc.xml
On December 11, 1941, Reading Clerk Irving Swanson read President Roosevelt’s swift rejoinder requesting a declaration of war against Axis Powers Germany and Italy. Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn presented this gavel, used during this historic session, to Swanson in appreciation for reading Roosevelt’s message and taking the roll call vote.
Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives, Gift of Irving Swanson
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About this object
V for Victory
/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_evnt_ww2_vforvic_lc.xml
The ladders of fire engines form a “V” in front of the Capitol.
Image courtesy of the Library of Congress
Japanese Submarine in Front of Capitol
/tiles/non-collection/o/oh_evnt_wwii_capitolsub.xml
A captured Japanese submarine was displayed in front of the Capitol in 1943. Spectators could view the submarine up close by purchasing war bonds.
Image courtesy of the Library of Congress
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