Most of us have heard the name “Pearl Harbor”—but do you know the details of the historic attack on this U.S. naval base? If not, look no further than our comprehensive list of facts. Below is a list of 23 key facts relating to Pearl Harbor. Read on for a quick and easy-to-understand summary of the 1941 attack that led the U.S. to declare war on Japan.
1. Location: Pearl Harbor is a U.S. naval base located near Honolulu on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.
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2. Date of Attack: The surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service occurred on December 7, 1941.
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3. Time: The attack began at 7:55 a.m. Hawaiian Time.
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4. Reason for Attack: Japan intended to neutralize the U.S. Pacific Fleet as a proactive measure to ensure the Japanese Empire’s expansion in Southeast Asia.
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5. Casualties: The attack resulted in the deaths of 2,403 Americans and the wounding of 1,178 others.
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6. U.S. Ships: Eight U.S. Navy battleships were damaged during the attack, with five sinking.
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7. Aircraft: A total of 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed and 159 were damaged.
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8. Japanese Losses: Japan lost 29 out of the 353 aircraft they used in the attack. They also lost five midget submarines.
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9. USS Arizona: The USS Arizona suffered the most casualties with 1,177 officers and crewmen killed.
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10. War Declaration: The attack led President Franklin D. Roosevelt to ask Congress for a declaration of war against Japan the next day. On December 8, 1941, the U.S. declared war on Japan.
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11. Infamous Words: In his speech to Congress, President Roosevelt described December 7, 1941, as “a date which will live in infamy.”
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12. War’s Broadening: Following the attack, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States on December 11, bringing the U.S. fully into World War II.
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13. Radar Detection: The incoming Japanese planes were detected by radar before the attack but were mistaken for an incoming group of American planes.
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14. No Aircraft Carriers: None of the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s aircraft carriers were in the harbor. They were out at sea and thus escaped the attack.
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15. Short Attack Duration: The entire attack lasted less than two hours.
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16. Japanese Training: The Japanese pilots had trained extensively and used specially designed torpedoes that could operate in the shallow waters of the harbor.
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17. Post-Attack Oil: The USS Arizona continues to leak oil to this day and is often referred to as the “tears of the Arizona.”
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18. National Memorial: The USS Arizona Memorial was dedicated on May 30, 1962, to remember all those who died during the attack.
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19. Survivors: Some survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack chose to have their ashes interred on the USS Arizona upon their death.
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20. Lasting Legacy: The attack profoundly affected American public opinion, shifting it from a desire for isolationism to a commitment to involvement in the global conflict, reshaping the course of World War II.
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21. Pre-Attack Relations: Prior to the attack, the U.S. and Japan had been engaged in negotiations, though relations had been deteriorating.
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22. Communication Delays: Japan had intended to notify the U.S. of its intent to wage war before the attack started but due to delays, the notification came after the attack had begun.
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23. A Second Wave: After the initial surprise attack, there was a second wave of Japanese planes that struck Pearl Harbor.
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24. Post-Attack Analysis: The Pearl Harbor attack was later judged to be a significant strategic blunder for Japan in the broader context of World War II, as it galvanized American resolve to enter the war and achieve eventual victory.
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