The Hawaiian Islands are American people’s paradise escape. As soon as you arrive in Honolulu stress has a way of evaporating from your body, you are instantly seduced by the scent of tropical flowers and the feel of pacific trade winds and the last thing anyone wants to imagine or think about is hundreds of Japanese warplanes suddenly coming down upon you.
Japans decision to attack was not suddenly brought on. There were multiple events that led up to the attack. For example: September 1940, the United States refused to trade with Japan by prohibiting exports of steel, scrap iron, and aviation fuel because Japan invaded Northern French Indochina. Also, April 1941, the United States felt threatened by the Neutrality Treaty between Japan and the Soviet Union. Lastly, June 1941, the United States, Britain, and the Netherlands froze Japan's assets. Doing so prevented Japan from buying oil which crippled its army and mads its navy and air force completely useless. Americas goal was to stop Japans expansion, but was not willing to go to war. It was a beautiful, sunny Sunday morning on December 7th 1941. It was around 7:55am when Japanese warplanes swooped down and destroyed the US Pacific Fleet docked at Pearl Harbor. This attack lasted for about two hours consisting of two waves. The first wave was around 7:55am and consisted of 183 fighters, bombers, and torpedo bombers. The second wave was around 8:55am and consisted of 170 Japanese warplanes. The Japanese destroyed 20 American naval bases, including eight battleships, and almost 200 airplanes. 2,335 servicemen and 68 civilians were killed, with 1,178 injured. 1,104 men aboard the Battleship USS Arizona were killed after a 1,760-pound air bomb struck into the forward magazine causing catastrophic explosions. December 7th 1941 is a day which will live in infamy and will never be forgotten. It was this single attacked that made the United States join World War II. This attack changed the attitude of the American people. It was stated that the war is not part of the culture, but that the war is the culture. Another horrifying picture of how tragic the attack of Pearl Harbor truly was.
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A devastating picture of the attack on pearl harbor. In color it is shown the pain and suffering they all went to trying to escape.
A map that shows the Japanese plan to attack. Consists of first wave, second wave, the bombers, and the torpedo planes.
A newspaper article about the attack on Pearl Harbor and how we can declared war.
Resources:
The History of Pearl Harbor This website is sponsored by A&E Television Networks and gives a summary about Pearl Harbor along with a quote and a video of the attack. Remembering Pearl Harbor This website is sponsored by National Geographic Society and has a interactive map, a timeline, and in depth stories of the attack on December 7th 1941 World War II: Pearl Harbor This website is sponsored by The Atlantic Monthly Group and has a bunch of pictures from the attack of Pearl Harbor with descriptions. |
A Speech that President Franklin Roosevelt made after Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Scripted on the wall of the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
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