Attack On Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, hundreds of Japanese fighter planes attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, Hawaii. The attack lasted for two hours, but had many devastating effects. The Japanese managed to destroy nearly 20 American naval vessels, including eight enormous battleships, and almost 200 airplanes. More than 2,000 Americans soldiers and sailors died in the attack, and another 1,000 were wounded. The day after the assault, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan; Congress approved his declaration. Three days later, Japanese allies Germany and Italy also declared war on the United States. More than two years into the conflict, America had finally joined World War II.
"A Date Which Will Live In Infamy"
The Japanese had a simple plan, and that was to destroy the Pacific Fleet. By doing so, Americans wouldn't be able to fight back as Japans forces began to spread throughout the Pacific. The 2-hour attack left 18 battleships destroyed, damaged, or sunken. And nearly 300 airplanes were destroyed. A fatal blow for America, if Japan had attacked any other day. By the 1940's, battleships weren't the most important naval vessels, aircraft carriers were. And as it so happened to be, on December 7th, all Pacific Fleet's carriers were away from the naval base.
The Pearl Harbor assault had left the base’s most vital facilities–oil storage depots, repair shops, shipyards and submarine docks–intact. As a result, the U.S. Navy was able to recover quickly from the attack.
The Pearl Harbor assault had left the base’s most vital facilities–oil storage depots, repair shops, shipyards and submarine docks–intact. As a result, the U.S. Navy was able to recover quickly from the attack.