On December 8, 1941, the United States formally declares war on the Empire of Japan following the December 7 attack on Pearl Harbor. The declaration of war was passed by the US Congress with an 82-0 vote in the Senate and a 388-1 vote in the House of Representatives. The only vote against the declaration of war against Japan was was cast by Representative Jeannette Rankin of Montana, a pacifist and the first woman to have been elected to Congress in 1916. Following harassment from an angry mob, Rep. Rankin later abstained from voting on the declaration of war against German and Italy. The text of the declaration of war against Japan is as follows:

"JOINT RESOLUTION Declaring that a state of war exists between the Imperial Government of Japan and the Government and the people of the United States and making provisions to prosecute the same.

Whereas the Imperial Government of Japan has committed unprovoked acts of war against the Government and the people of the United States of America: Therefore be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the state of war between the United States and the Imperial Government of Japan which has thus been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared; and the President is hereby authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and the resources of the Government to carry on was against the Imperial Government of Japan; and, to bring the conflict to a successful termination, all of the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United States."