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Pearl Harbor Attack: Pivotal Moments Captured in Photos

Joshua Liu03 mins

The Attack on Pearl Harbor: A Day That Changed History

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On the morning of December 7, 1941, the Japanese Imperial Navy launched a surprise attack on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This event marked a significant turning point in American history and World War II.

The Immediate Impact of the Attack

Consequently, more than 2,000 Americans lost their lives amid the bombings, which destroyed numerous battleships and aircraft. The emotional and physical toll on the nation was unprecedented.

A Call to Action

In a speech to Congress the following day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously declared, “a date which will live in infamy.” This proclamation galvanized the nation and quickly led to Congress passing a declaration of war against Japan, thus drawing the United States into World War II.

Smoke and flames rise from the USS Shaw.
Smoke and flames rise from the USS Shaw. Library of Congress
Crewmen of a Japanese aircraft carrier prepare fighter planes before the raid on Pearl Harbor.
Crewmen of a Japanese aircraft carrier prepare fighter planes before the raid on Pearl Harbor.
This is believed to be an image of the first bomb on Pearl Harbor; it shows a Japanese plane pulling out of a dive near the explosion.
This is believed to be an image of the first bomb on Pearl Harbor; it shows a Japanese plane pulling out of a dive near the explosion.
An aerial view of the harbor shows the destruction of several US battleships.
An aerial view of the harbor shows the destruction of multiple battleships.
Airmen at Hickam Field watch as bombs explode.
Airmen at Hickam Field watch as bombs explode. The Hickam Field airbase was heavily targeted during the attack.
Smoke envelops the USS Arizona before it sank.
Smoke envelops the USS Arizona before it sank.
A US Army aircraft lands at Hickam Field on December 7, 1941.
A US Army aircraft lands at Hickam Field on December 7, 1941. The base sustained heavy losses during the attack.
A fire spreads through the Army barracks at Hickam Field.
A fire spreads through the Army barracks at Hickam Field.
Smoke from burning oil billows over Hickam Field.
Smoke from burning oil billows over Hickam Field.

Conclusion

The attack on Pearl Harbor remains a pivotal moment in American history. Its implications and the subsequent fallout shaped both national policy and international relations for decades to come. Therefore, understanding this event is crucial for grasping the historical context of the United States’ role in World War II.

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