The Pittsburgh Press (November 20, 1942)
Roosevelt suggests Dec. 7 be observed in silence
Washington (UP) –
The White House announced today that President Roosevelt felt that Dec. 7 anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor:
…should be observed as a day of silence in remembrance of a great infamy.
Mr. Roosevelt, the White House said:
…will not deliver an address on Dec. 7 nor take official notice of that anniversary.
Mr. Roosevelt was asked at his press conference today about plans for observing the end of the first year of war for the United States. He had nothing to day then, but he conferred later with Elmer Davis, Director of the Office of War Information. Shortly afterward, the White House issued this statement:
The President will not deliver an address on Dec. 7 nor take official notice of the anniversary. The President does not feel that this attitude on the part of the government need interfere with the carrying out of programs already arranged under private auspices. But insofar as notice of Dec. 7 by the President is concerned, he feels that it should be observed as a day of silence in the remembrance of a great infamy.