We Remember Pearl Harbor – December 7 – A Date Which Lives in Infamy

This year marks the 78th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The surprise attack by Japanese forces left 2,403 American sailors, soldiers and civilians dead and another 1,000 people wounded.

The Japanese hoped to destroy the Pacific Fleet so the Americans would not be able to fight back as Japan’s armed forces spread across the South Pacific. In less than two hours, nearly every battleship in Pearl Harbor had suffered significant damage. The ships included: USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, USS California, USS West Virginia, USS Utah, USS Maryland, USS Pennsylvania, USS Tennessee and USS Nevada. All but the USS Arizona and USS Utah were eventually salvaged and repaired.

While the attack destroyed nearly 20 American ships and 300 airplanes, the Japanese failed to cripple the Pacific Fleet. As history shows, the day after the attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan, launching America into World War II.
Pick up the story here: https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor