Attack on Pearl harbor
December 7, 1941
In 1941, tensions between Japan and America were rising. Japan wanted to expand into China more, but America placed restrictions on this by making an embargo. Rather than try and negotiate anymore, they decided to plan a sneak attack on America. They snuck a fleet of destroyers, submarines, and aircraft carriers to an area about 230 miles north of Oahu. Then at 6:00 am, the attack began. It was a Sunday morning; so much of the military was still sleeping, eating breakfast, or getting ready for church. The attack came completely by surprise, which was relayed in code by the leader of the attack, Commander Mitsuo Fuchida, when he said “Tora! Tora! Tora” (Tiger! Tiger! Tiger!) Although the primary targets, the aircraft carriers, were out at sea that day, the still could target their secondary targets: the battleships. There were 8 battleships in Pearl Harbor at the time, 1 of which was separated for dry repairs. The torpedoes and bombs from the Japanese air fleet damaged all of the ships, sinking four of them and beaching another. The remaining two were damaged, but stayed afloat. The heaviest damage was done to the Arizona, which was hit on the forward magazine and exploded. Over 2,000 people died in the attack. In addition, 188 fighter planes were destroyed and another 159 were damaged. After 2 hours, the attack finished. Only 29 Japanese aircraft and 5 mini-subs were destroyed during the attack. The following day, President Roosevelt gave an address to Congress asking them to declare war. In an almost unanimous vote, with only 1 dissenting vote, the US entered World War 2.
This event is significant to the US for many reasons. For one, it marks the beginning of our official military involvement in WW2. Second, it is one of the most infamous and sad moments in our history. This event sparked the American desire to get involved in the war, which helped the Allies achieve ultimate victory with the help of the US military.
In 1941, tensions between Japan and America were rising. Japan wanted to expand into China more, but America placed restrictions on this by making an embargo. Rather than try and negotiate anymore, they decided to plan a sneak attack on America. They snuck a fleet of destroyers, submarines, and aircraft carriers to an area about 230 miles north of Oahu. Then at 6:00 am, the attack began. It was a Sunday morning; so much of the military was still sleeping, eating breakfast, or getting ready for church. The attack came completely by surprise, which was relayed in code by the leader of the attack, Commander Mitsuo Fuchida, when he said “Tora! Tora! Tora” (Tiger! Tiger! Tiger!) Although the primary targets, the aircraft carriers, were out at sea that day, the still could target their secondary targets: the battleships. There were 8 battleships in Pearl Harbor at the time, 1 of which was separated for dry repairs. The torpedoes and bombs from the Japanese air fleet damaged all of the ships, sinking four of them and beaching another. The remaining two were damaged, but stayed afloat. The heaviest damage was done to the Arizona, which was hit on the forward magazine and exploded. Over 2,000 people died in the attack. In addition, 188 fighter planes were destroyed and another 159 were damaged. After 2 hours, the attack finished. Only 29 Japanese aircraft and 5 mini-subs were destroyed during the attack. The following day, President Roosevelt gave an address to Congress asking them to declare war. In an almost unanimous vote, with only 1 dissenting vote, the US entered World War 2.
This event is significant to the US for many reasons. For one, it marks the beginning of our official military involvement in WW2. Second, it is one of the most infamous and sad moments in our history. This event sparked the American desire to get involved in the war, which helped the Allies achieve ultimate victory with the help of the US military.