On December 7, 1941, Japanese forces launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The first wave of attacks began around 8:00 am local time, as Japanese planes bombed battleships and other vessels. Over 2,400 Americans were killed and 1,178 were wounded. The following day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed Congress and called for a declaration of war against Japan, saying the attack was "a date which will live in infamy." Congress approved the declaration, and the U.S. entered World War II on the side of the Allies.

1. Pearl Harbor Mary Katherine Davis Crowder 4 th Block

2. Timeline of December 7, 1941 6:00 a.m.- The first wave of Japanese fighter planes take off from ships anchored north of Hawaii. 6:26 a.m.- Japanese planes start to see Oahu, and the sunrise, but are fighting to see, due to the overcast skies. 7:02 a.m. hours- A training army lieutenant, is training in the radio-network operations center, at Fort Shafter, when he spots planes about 70 miles away from Hawaii, but he doesn’t report it to his trainer. 7:33 a.m.- Code breakers in Washington, decode a message sent from Japan, which makes them think they want to fight. They send this message to Hawaii, but it won’t reach them, until after the fact. 7:49 a.m.- Commander Mitsuo Fuchida issues the attack, be exclaiming, “Tora! Tora! Tora!,” which means they have surprised their enemy. 7:55 a.m.- The first wave of Japanese planes bomb the anchorage, striking the Helena, Utah, and Oklahoma battleships. 8:10 a.m.- President Roosevelt hears of the attacks 8: 35 a.m.- The first wave of attacks ends 8:50 a.m.- United States Secretary of State, Cordell Hull, receives a note from the Japanese government, calling of all peace treaties, and alliances 8:54 a.m.- The second wave of attacks start 10:00 a.m.- The first wave of planes, reach their ships victoriously.

3. What was Pearl Harbor? Pearl Harbor was a surprise attack on the United States by the Japanese. Two waves of Japanese fighter planes dropped bombs on the American naval base, in Oahu, Hawaii. Killing and injuring thousands of Americans, and destroying hundreds of America’s battle ships. This event eventually lead to World War II.

4. Where it took place Pearl Harbor took place on December 7, 1941 at the Pearl Harbor Anchorage in Oahu, Hawaii. This anchorage was the American naval base. It affected all of Hawaii, and destroyed the United States Navy. Here is a map of the anchorage.

5. Franklin Delano Roosevelt President of the United States at the time of Pearl Harbor. He delivered the famous “Fireside Chats,” and on the day of Pearl Harbor, he announced to the United States, that they were under attack, and would soon be in a war with Japan. He helped strengthen the United States military, and declared war on Japan. Sadly, he died just weeks shy of the end of World War II of a cerebral hemorrhage.

6. Mitsuo Fuchida Captain in the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service. Was one of the pilots that dropped bombs on Pearl Harbor. Best known of leading the first group of Japanese fighter planes to Pearl Harbor.

7. Emperor Hirohito Emperor Hirohito was the emperor of Japan during World War II. He was the 124 th emperor of Japan, and he would reign the longest out of all of them. Surprisingly, Emperor Hirohito wasn’t for the war, he actually tried to stop it. After the two atomic bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Emperor Hirohito made his first public radio announcement, declaring that Japan had surrendered the war.

8. What caused Pearl Harbor? Pearl Harbor was a day, that still horrifies many Americans. 67 years ago, on December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, America’s Naval Base was attacked by Japanese fighter planes. The thoughts crossing most American’s minds was why us, why now? That question was soon to be answered.

9. Cause During the 1930’s and 1940’s, all Japan wanted was to create an empire. They planned to take over China in this quest. First, the Japanese over ran the Chinese government, and in 1937, they began to put China into a submission. With this plan failing, the Japanese decided the best way to defeat China was to cut-off their relationships with the outside world.

10. Cause One of these relationships was with the United States. Japan began to close all of China’s ports, causing raw materials not to reach China. This outraged the United States, and other countries as well. To try and stop this problem , the United States halted all raw materials and goods from entering Japan, they then offered to re-send these goods if Japan would leave China alone.

11. Cause This deal of course outraged Japan. They had wanted to become an empire for many years, and they weren’t about to quit that dream any time soon. So Japan had a decision to make, either take the deal the United States offered, and stopping their attempts to take over China, or fight back. What do you think they did?

12. Results to Pearl Harbor In President Roosevelt’s famous speech, he called the attacks, “ a date which will live in infamy.” Soon after, he declared war on the Japanese empire. He broke off all government relationships with the country as well.

13. Results After, President Roosevelt, and the United States Congress declared war, America joined World War II, on the Allies side. With tragedy and war, in every American’s mind, many banded together, to help fight of Japan. Many men enlisted in the army, while at home, the women took over their jobs. The pearl harbor attack caused many American’s to hate anyone of the Asian decent, so to ensure America’s safety, all men and women of the Asian or Japanese decent were placed in concentration “war relocation camps”, this movement is known as the Japanese American internment. After many years of fighting, the United States had a decision to make, either keep fighting, and let many American’s keep dying, or drop the deadly atomic bombs. On August 6, 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city, Hiroshima, and a second was dropped on August 9, 1945, on Nagasaki. These bombs killed over 200,000 Japanese civilians, while also causing a devastating blow to Japan, forcing them to surrender the war.

14. Could it have been stopped? After it was all over, many began to ask themselves if Pearl Harbor could have been avoided. Well the answer was yes, it could have been avoided. Several months before the attacks, the United States Army intercepted a message warning the U.S. about the attacks, but they took no actions in seeing if the message was true.

15. Could it have been stopped? On the day of the attacks, just outside of the naval base, a Japanese midget submarine had been sunken. Several jets had been spotted on the radar, but they were assumed to be American planes coming back from a test run. There were many opportunities to stop this surprise attack.

16. Speech made by President Franklin Roosevelt, the day after Pearl Harbor. Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives: Yesterday, December 7th, 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. The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack. It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu. Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya. Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island. And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island. Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation. As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us. Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God. I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

17. Primary Source President Franklin Roosevelt’s speech, was addressed to the United States on December 8, 1941, a day after the Pearl Harbor attacks. In his speech, he asked Congress to declare war on the Japanese.

18. Work Sited Sullivan, Robert. &quot;Timeline of Pearl Harbor.&quot; TIME . 24 May 2001. CNN. 11 May 2008 <http://www.time.com/time/sampler/article/0,8599,127924,00.html>. &quot;Pearl Harbor, Oahu.&quot; Pearl Harbor, Oahu . 15 Jan. 1997. Discover Hidden Hawaii Tours. 09 May 2008 <http://www.pearlharboroahu.com/attack.php>. White, David. &quot;The Attack on Pearl Harbor.&quot; Social Studies for Kids . 2002. 11 May 2008 <http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/pearlharborattack1.htm>. Martin, Joseph. &quot;Franklin Delano Roosevelt.&quot; American Rhetoric . 2001. The Vincent Voice Sound Library. 11 May 2008 <http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/fdrpearlharbor.htm>. &quot;Attack At Pearl Harbor, 1941.&quot; EyeWitness to History . 1997. 11 May 2008 <http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/pearl.htm>.