History
The Attack on Pearl Harbor Explained
A summary of the surprise military strike by Japan on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and its profound consequences.
What is it?
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. On the morning of December 7, 1941, hundreds of Japanese aircraft attacked the base in two waves. The assault lasted less than two hours but was devastating. It resulted in 2,403 American deaths and 1,178 wounded. The attack sank or damaged nearly 20 American naval vessels, including eight battleships, and destroyed more than 188 U.S. aircraft.
Why is it trending?
The attack on Pearl Harbor is a pivotal event in world history because it was the catalyst for the United States' formal entry into World War II. Prior to the attack, there was strong isolationist sentiment in the U.S., but the surprise assault unified the American public. The day after the attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his famous "date which will live in infamy" speech, and Congress formally declared war on Japan. This decision irrevocably changed the course of the war, ultimately leading to the defeat of the Axis powers.
How does it affect people?
The attack's most immediate effect was the massive loss of life and the entry of the U.S. into a global conflict that would claim millions of lives. It led to significant social changes in America, including the internment of Japanese Americans. Today, Pearl Harbor remains a symbol of American resolve and sacrifice. The USS Arizona Memorial, which marks the resting place of 1,102 of the 1,177 sailors and Marines killed on the battleship, is a somber reminder of the attack's human cost and a site of historical pilgrimage that continues to educate and affect visitors from around the world.