The Attack on Pearl Harbor

Summary

On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, destroying or damaging 20 U.S. naval vessels and over 340 airplanes, resulting in more than 2,400 American casualties. The attack, which was part of Japan's strategy to secure the Pacific, led to the United States' entry into World War II. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's speech, declaring the attack a 'date which will live in infamy,' galvanized the nation. On December 8, Congress declared war on Japan, officially marking the U.S. involvement in the global conflict.

Takeaways

• 😀 On December 7th, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
• 😀 The attack occurred shortly before 8:00 a.m. and involved 350 Imperial Japanese aircraft.
• 😀 The attack lasted 75 minutes and caused significant damage to American naval assets.
• 😀 Japan destroyed or damaged nearly 20 American naval vessels, including eight battleships.
• 😀 Over 340 airplanes were destroyed or damaged, and more than 2,400 Americans died in the attack.
• 😀 The U.S. had been experiencing growing tensions with Japan over the previous decade, particularly concerning Japan's expansion into China.
• 😀 The Japanese aimed to destroy the U.S. Pacific Fleet to gain time for unchallenged control of the Pacific.
• 😀 The attack on Pearl Harbor, occurring without a declaration of war, shocked the American public and sparked widespread anger.
• 😀 President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered the famous line, 'Yesterday, December 7th, 1941, a date which will live in infamy,' in his speech to Congress.
• 😀 The U.S. Congress declared war on Japan on December 8th, 1941, officially bringing the United States into World War II.

Q & A

What date did Japan launch the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor?

Japan launched the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, shortly before 8:00 a.m.

How many Japanese aircrafts were involved in the attack on Pearl Harbor?

The attack on Pearl Harbor involved 350 Imperial Japanese aircrafts.

How long did the attack on Pearl Harbor last?

The attack on Pearl Harbor lasted 75 minutes.

What was the impact of the attack on the U.S. naval fleet at Pearl Harbor?

The attack destroyed or damaged nearly 20 American naval vessels, including eight battleships, and more than 340 airplanes.

How many Americans were killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor?

Over 2,400 Americans died in the attack, and many more were wounded.

What was the reason for the deteriorating tensions between the U.S. and Japan before the attack?

The tensions between the U.S. and Japan had deteriorated over the decade, particularly due to Japan's expansion into China.

What was the Japanese strategy behind attacking Pearl Harbor?

The Japanese aimed to destroy the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which would give them time to carry out their plans to control the Pacific without U.S. interference.

How did the American public react to the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor?

The shock of the attack without a declaration of war enraged the American public, rallying the nation to support a war that many had hoped to avoid.

What was the famous line delivered by President Franklin D. Roosevelt after the attack?

President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered the famous line, 'Yesterday, December 7th, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America, was suddenly and deliberately attacked, by naval and air forces of the empire of Japan.'

When did the United States Congress declare war on Japan?

The United States Congress declared war on Japan on December 8, 1941, one day after the attack.