Attack on Pearl Harbor: December 7th 1941

At 7:55 a.m. Hawai time, a Japanese dive bomber bearing the red symbol of the Rising Sun of Japan on its wings appears out of the clouds above the island of Oahu. A swarm of 360 Japanese warplanes followed, descending on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in a ferocious assault. The surprise attack struck a critical blow against the U.S. Pacific fleet and drew the United States irrevocably into WW II.

 Much of the Pacific fleet was rendered useless: Five of eight battleships, three destroyers, and seven other ships were sunk or severely damaged, and more than 200 aircraft were destroyed.

A total of 2,400 Americans were killed and 1,200 were wounded, many while valiantly attempting to repulse the attack. Japan’s losses were some 30 planes, five midget submarines, and fewer than 100 men.

 The day after Pearl Harbor was bombed, President Roosevelt appeared before a joint session of Congress and after a brief and forceful speech, he asked Congress to approve a resolution recognizing the state of war between the United States and Japan.

Three days later, Germany and Italy declared war against the United States, and the U.S. government responded in kind.