Declarations of War and Authorizations for the Use of Military Force
Congressional Research Service 4
Table 1. Key Dates and Actions Related to Formal U.S. Declarations Of War
1812—Great Britain
Madison asked June 1, 1812. House passed on June 4, 1812 (79-49). Senate passed
on June 17, 1812 (19-13). President signed on June 18, 1812. Act of Jun.18, 1812,
ch. 102, 2 Stat. 755. Terminated by Treaty of Ghent, which entered into force on
Feb. 17, 1815. 8 Stat. 218, Treaty Series 109.
1846—Mexico Polk asked May 11, 1846. House passed on May 11, 1846 (174-14). Senate passed on
May 12, 1846 (40-2). President signed on May 13, 1846. Act of May 13, 1846,
ch.16, 9 Stat. 9. Terminated by Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which entered into
force on May 30, 1848. 9 Stat. 922, Treaty Series 207.
1898—Spain McKinley asked April 25, 1898. Senate and House passed on April 25, 1898, by voice
votes. McKinley signed on April 25, 1898. Act of Apr. 25, 1898, ch. 189, 30 Stat.
364. The bill made the war date retroactive to April 21, 1898. Terminated by Treaty
of Paris, which entered into force on April 11, 1899. 30 Stat. 1754, Treaty Series
343.
1917—World War I
(Germany)
Wilson asked April 2, 1917. Senate passed on April 4, 1917 (82-6). House passed on
April 6, 1917 (373-50). President signed on April 6, 1917. Act of Apr. 6, 1917, ch.1,
40 Stat. 1. Terminated by Act of July 2, 1921, ch. 40, 42 Stat. 105, which declared
the state of war between the U.S. and Germany to be at an end. Formally
recognized by the Treaty on Establishment of Friendly Relations, which entered into
force Nov. 11, 1921. 42 Stat. 1939, Treaty Series 658.
1917—World War I
(Austria-Hungary)
Wilson asked December 4, 1917. House passed on December 7, 1917 (365-1).
Senate passed on December 7, 1917 (74-0). President signed on December 7,
1917. Act of Dec. 7, 1917, ch.1, 40 Stat. 429. Terminated by Act of July 2, 1921, ch.
40, 42 Stat. 105, which declared the state of war between the U.S. and the two
successor states and governments to the Austro-Hungarian monarchy—Austria and
Hungary—to be at an end. Formally recognized by the Treaty on Establishment of
Friendly Relations with Austria, which entered into force Nov. 8, 1921 (42 Stat.
1939, Treaty Series 658 ) and the Treaty on Establishing Friendly Relations with
Hungary, which entered into force Dec. 17, 1921. 42 Stat. 1951, Treaty Series 660.
1941—World War II
(Japan)
Roosevelt asked December 8, 1941. Senate passed on December 8, 1941 (82-0).
House passed on December 8, 1941 (388-1). President signed on December 8,
1941. Act of Dec. 8, 1941, ch. 561, 55 Stat. 795. Terminated by Treaty of Peace
with Japan, which entered into force Apr. 28, 1952. 3 UST 3169, TIAS 2490.
1941—World War II
(Germany)
Roosevelt asked December 11, 1941. Senate passed on December 11, 1941 (88-0).
House passed on December 11, 1941 (393-0). President signed on December 11,
1941. Act of Dec. 11, 1941, ch. 564, 55 Stat. 796. Terminated by Act of October
19, 1951, ch. 519, 65 Stat. 541.
1941—World War II
(Italy)
Roosevelt asked December 11, 1941. Senate passed on December 11, 1941 (90-0).
House passed on December 11, 1941 (399-0). President signed on December 11,
1941. Act of Dec. 11, 1941, ch. 565, 55 Stat. 796. Terminated by Treaty of Peace
with Italy, which entered into force Sept. 15, 1947. 4 UST 311, 61 Stat. 1245.
1942—World War II
(Bulgaria)
Roosevelt asked June 2, 1942. House passed on June 3, 1942 (357-0). Senate passed
on June 4, 1942 (73-0). President signed on June 5, 1942. Act of Jun. 5, 1942, ch.
323, 56 Stat. 307. Terminated by Treaty of Peace with Bulgaria, which entered into
force Sept. 15, 1947. 4 UST 429, 61 Stat. 1915.
1942—World War II
(Hungary)
Roosevelt asked June 2, 1942. House passed on June 3, 1942 (360-0). Senate passed
on June 4, 1942 (73-0). President signed on June 5, 1942. Act of Jun. 5, 1942, ch.
324, 56 Stat. 307. Terminated by Treaty of Peace with Hungary, which entered into
force Sept. 15, 1947. 4 UST 453, 61 Stat. 2065.
1942—World War II
(Rumania)
Roosevelt asked June 2, 1942. House passed on June 3, 1942 (361-0). Senate passed
on June 4, 1942 (73-0). President signed on June 5, 1942. Act of Jun. 5, 1942, ch.
325, 56 Stat. 307. Terminated by Treaty of Peace with Rumania, which entered into
force Sept. 15, 1947. 4 UST 403, 61 Stat. 1757.