Pearl Harbor: A Day That Will Live in Infamy

Pearl Harbor: A Day That Will Live in Infamy

December 7, 1941At 7:55 a.m. on Sunday, December 7, 1941, 353 Japanese planes launched a surprise attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor.

Surprise?An American cryptologist (decoder) intercepted a Japanese message asking about American fleet movement out of Pearl Harbor 2 days prior to the attack. IgnoredEarly on December 7, a radar operator noticed a large group of planes heading towards Pearl HarborIgnoredWhy?

The Aftermath

2,403 US Personnel killed68 Civilians killed19 Navy ships destroyed or damaged (including 8 battleships)All 4 aircraft carriers survived (had set out to sea on a test-run earlier that morning and werent discovered by the Japanese)

Declaration of WarOn December 8, FDR asked Congress for a declaration of war against Japan in what would become one of the most famous speeches in American history.The United States officially declared war on Japan on December 11, 1941.