The President makes a last attempt to avert war

6th December 1941: Franklin D. Roosevelt sends a direct message to Emperor Hirohito

Even as the message was sent the Japanese fleet was approaching Hawaii and was probably beyond recall. A Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter on the carrier Akagi

In Washington there was growing unease about the intentions of Japan. In part this was a consequence of the build-up of Japanese troops in Indo-China and increased Japanese military activity in the Paci…