When was the last time congress declared war?

Question

Under the constitution they are the only way war can be declared.

Article One, Section 8 - US Constitution;

The Congress shall have power;

To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water.

So - when was the last time they declared war?

Answer 1

1941, the day after Pearl Harbor.
We've been breaking the law ever since.
"and make rules concerning captures on land and water" implies that it's up to Congress how to deal with the Gitmo prisoners.
If we don't declare war, then how can Gitmo prisoners be enemy combatants? This so-called war on terrorism wil never end. Therefore, anybody can be grabbed off the street and held forever without trial or explanation. Enemy combatants are held until the end of the war. Since the "war on terror" will never end, these people will never be freed.
If they're criminals, their rights are being violated. Bush wants his cake and to eat it, too.

Answer 2

The only declared wars were the War of 1812, Mexican-American War, Spanish-American War, World War I and World War II. World War II was the last declared war. The Korean War was not declared by the US Congress but carried out under authority cited by UN resolutions. Since then other "wars" (Vietnam, Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraqi Freedom) have all been "military engagements" authorized by the US Congress.

Answer 3

From what I understand, when Congress declares war, its on a country. We are not fighting against the countries of Iraq and Afghanistan. We are fighting militant groups within.

Answer 4

2002

Answer 5

June 5, 1942, against Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania.

Answer 6

That's a great point, which some people in the "media" don't want you to know. You know which network I mean, the pro-war one (hint). Exactly what you say was a key point in an o'Reilly whooping by phil Donahue.

Answer 7

http://www.house.gov/paul/press/press2002/pr100402.htm
http://www.house.gov/paul/tst/tst2002/tst101402.htm
Your buddy Ron Paul might know something about it.

I am going to have to say it looks like we haven't officially declared war on Iraq, which means we must have invaded the country under the declarations/powers given to the Prez in the "war on terror"

Interesting.

Answer 8

They declared war on Bush and the republicans as soon as they got control in 06. Pretty lame.

Answer 9

the year of our lord nineteen hundred and forty one

Answer 10

WWII.