The attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan on December 7, 1941 was a devastating surprise that brought the United States into World War II. The Japanese launched aircraft from carriers to bombard the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, sinking or damaging many ships and killing over 2,400 Americans. This prompted Congress to declare war on Japan the next day. The attack achieved Japan's goal of neutralizing the U.S. Pacific fleet and allowed them to advance in the Pacific but ultimately brought the full force of the U.S. into the war against them.