The Japanese Declaration of War on the United States

From Wikipedia.

Largely forgotten in the day of the attack and following was the Japanese Declaration of War on the United States.  Many felt the attack on pearl harbor pretty well announced it.  But this is the formal declaration as delivered through diplomatic channels.

'We, by the grace of heaven, Emperor of Japan, seated on the Throne of a line unbroken for ages eternal, enjou upon ye, Our loyal and brave subjects:

"We hereby declare a war on the United States of America and the British Empire.  The men and officers of Our army and navy shall do their utmost in prosecuting the war.  Our public servants of various departments shall perform faithfully and diligently the appointed tasks, and all other subjects of Ours shall pursue their respective duties; the entire nation with a united will shall mobilize their total strength so that nothing will miscarry in the attainment of our war aims."

It went on for a long further, but a big reason for the declaration was "To insure the stability of East Asia and to contribute to world peace."  It also mentioned the American support of the Chinese government in Chungking as a reason as well as" economic and military pressure against Our Empire."

"The 8th day of the 12th month of the 16th year of Showa."

--GreGen