 |  Pearl Harbor by air |
Pearl Harbor is the biggest natural lagoon on the island of Oahu in the Hawaiian Island Chain. For the ancient Hawaiians, the harbor was a place of spiritual significance and a source of sustenance. Today, Pearl Harbor is the location of the United States Pacific Fleet.
Japanese troops in China circa 1930's The the early 1900's the Empire of Japan was making strategic military progress in mainland China. Their primary goal was to conquer Southeast Asia, without interference from Allied forces. In order to prevent such interference, preliminary planning for a surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor began in Japan in early 1941. Coincidentally, U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt had moved the US Pacific Fleet from it's base in San Diego, CA to Pearl Harbor in early 1941. In addition, FDR requested additional military personal at U.S. military bases in the Philippines, as this was thought to have been the first point of invasion if Japan chose to attack the US. As of mid 1941, U.S. and Japan relations were being ever tested with the continued Japanese aggression in Southeast Asia. In July 1941 the United States halted all oil exports to Japan. By late 1941, most observers believed that war between the U.S. and Japan was imminent.
Nevertheless, in November 1941 Japanese officials had come to Washington D.C. to negotiate possible solutions to the heightened tensions between Japan and the United States. Despite these negotiations, on December 1, 1941 Emperor Hirohito approved a "war against United States, Great Britain and Holland". This war would commence with a surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at it's main military base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Still, no declaration of war was made by Japan.
Nevertheless, in November 1941 Japanese officials had come to Washington D.C. to negotiate possible solutions to the heightened tensions between Japan and the United States. Despite these negotiations, on December 1, 1941 Emperor Hirohito approved a "war against United States, Great Britain and Holland". This war would commence with a surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet at it's main military base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Still, no declaration of war was made by Japan.
In the early morning hours of December 7, 1941 a total of 353 Japanese fighter planes were launched from 6 aircraft carriers several hundred miles north of the island of Oahu. The Japanese fleet entered from the north and attacked air fields across the island. Next, the bombers hit Pearl Harbor. At Pearl Harbor all 8 of the U.S. battleships were damaged, 4 were sunk. 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed; 2,403 Americans were killed and 1,178 others were wounded. Japanese losses: 29 aircraft and five midget submarines lost, and 65 servicemen killed or wounded.
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The bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese led directly to the U.S. entering into World War II (in the Pacific and in Europe). On December 8, 1941 the United States of America declared war on the Empire of Japan.
Today, Pearl Harbor is also home to one of the U.S. National Parks and the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument. The Pearl Harbor Visitors Center is open daily from 7am to 5pm. Attractions at the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites include:
For more information about the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites, please visit www.recreation.gov.
- The USS Arizona Memorial
- The USS Bowfin Submarine museum
- The Battleship Missouri Memorial
- The Pacific Aviation Museum
For more information about the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites, please visit www.recreation.gov.
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