Figure 1 – Halftone color print from a photograph of President asking congress for a Declaration of War on April 2, 1917. From the Wikipedia, original in the US LOC and in the public domain in the United States.

We cannot let the date go unrecognized. One hundred years ago today, April 6, 1917, the United States declared war on Germany and entered the terrible war. It is worth noting that in those days war was war and US presidents asked congress for a declaration. To remember the day there is this wonderful color halftone print from the collection of the United States Library of Congress showing President Wilson addressing congress to ask for the Declaration on April 2, 1917.

The simple text is:

“WHEREAS, The Imperial German Government has committed repeated acts of war against 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 German Government, which has thus been thrust upon the United States, is hereby formally declared; and that the President be, and he 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 war against the Imperial German Government; and to bring the conflict to a successful termination all the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United States.”