For the December edition of One Day in History, we are covering the impact and consequences of the Japanese attacking Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941.  This year, December 7, 2023, marks the 82nd anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack.

Before World War II started, there was tension between Japan and the United States that escalated quickly as World War II began.  “While Japan’s deadly assault on Pearl Harbor stunned Americans, its roots stretched back more than four decades. As Japan industrialized during the late 19th century, it sought to imitate Western countries such as the United States, which had established colonies in Asia and the Pacific to secure natural resources and markets for their goods. Japan’s process of imperial expansion, however, put it on a collision course with the United States, particularly in relation to China.”  (The National WWII Museum/New Orleans)

The Japanese hoped to destroy the Pacific Fleet of the Americans. Prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese had been setting the groundwork for the assault.  A little before 8am on Sunday, December 7, 1941, the Japanese began their attack and many Japanese fighter planes fired upon the base.  Since this attack was unexpected early on Sunday morning, there was a severe amount of damage that occurred.

Over 300 airplanes and around twenty naval vessels were destroyed, including the battleships, USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, USS California, USS West Virginia, USS Utah, USS Maryland, USS Pennsylvania, USS Tennessee, and USS Nevada, of which all were repaired excluding the USS Arizona and USS Utah.  The attack caused the deaths of 2,403 sailors, soldiers, and civilians, and 1,178 were wounded.  Around half of the deaths at Pearl Harbor occurred on the USS Arizona, and today it serves as a monument for the horrific day.

The day after the attack, on December 8, Congress gave their assent to Roosevelt’s declaration of war against Japan and only three days later Japan’s allies, Italy and Germany, declared war on the United States.  The Japanese failed in their mission to eliminate the United States Navy and some of their major operations.  Pearl Harbor marked the United State’s entry into World War II and is an appropriate opportunity to honor and remember all the deaths and sacrifices at Pearl Harbor and during World War II.