Surrounded by congressional leaders president Roosevelt signed the declaration of war against Japan at his white house desk in Washington on Dec. 8, 1941, plunging the U.S. into its second war in 24 years soberly watching are (Left to right) : Rep. Luther Martin (D-tex), Rep. Harles A. Eaton (R-N.J.) Rep. Joseph E. Martin (R-Mass) : Vice- President Henry A. Wallace, speaker Sam Rayburn Rep. John McCormack Sen. Charles L. McNary (R-ORE) Sen. Alben W. Barkley (D-KY). (AP Photo)