December 7, 1941 – “a date which will live in infamy”
Posted By RichC on December 7, 2024
There are a few dates that tend to be remembered each year; December 7th is one of them. This year marks the 83rd anniversary of the surprise attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy on the United States 
naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, killing 2,403 Americans and thrusting the United States into World War II.
The history-interested reader in me had me reading quite a few books on World War II and in particular the war in the Pacific. Perhaps it’s my interest in oceans, ships, boats, sailing and aviation … or just the impact on our country with an entire world at war. I still can’t imagine just how unprepared we were “knowing” the war going on in Europe (from Germany) and in China (from Japan).
But somehow in America in the autumn of 1941 (aerial view of Pearl Harbor in October 1941 above), we felt insulated (perhaps even isolated from the war in Europe and China); that changed on December 7, 1941. Early on Sunday morning, Japanese aircraft launched a coordinated attack on Pearl Harbor, catching the U.S. Pacific Fleet by surprise. They were able to sink or damage 19 ships, including eight battleships … and destroyed over 300 aircraft. The USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, and USS Utah were among the ships that sank, resulting in the loss of over 1,700 lives. Let our leaders and our military never be so unprepared again.
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
In 1994, the United States Congress designated December 7 as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, a day to honor and remember those who were killed or injured during the attack. The day is marked by ceremonies, memorial services, and tributes across the United States.
Legacy
Pearl Harbor Day serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served and the devastating consequences of war. It also honors the resilience and determination of the American people, who rallied together to support the war effort and ultimately contributed to the Allied victory.
Quotes
“Yesterday, December 7, 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.”
– President Franklin D. Roosevelt
