Pearl Harbor Day Facts

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35 facts about Pearl Harbor Day including 10 facts about Pearl Harbor Day especially for kids plus more about its history, it’s name, and more.

Pearl Harbor Day Facts


Table of Contents

What is Pearl Harbor Day?

Pearl Harbor Day is an annual observance in the United States commemorating the attack on Pearl Harbor, a U.S. naval base located in Hawaii, by the Imperial Japanese Navy on December 7, 1941. The attack took place early in the morning and caught the American forces by surprise, resulting in the deaths of 2,403 Americans, including 68 civilians, and the destruction of several ships and airplanes.

The attack on Pearl Harbor was a major turning point in World War II and prompted the United States to enter the war. President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war on Japan the following day, December 8, 1941, in his famous “Day of Infamy” speech to Congress. The attack united the American people in their resolve to fight and win the war, and it is still remembered and honored today as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the men and women who served their country during World War II.

Facts About Pearl Harbor Day

Here are 25 facts about Pearl Harbor Day:

  1. Pearl Harbor is a U.S. naval base located on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.
  2. The attack on Pearl Harbor occurred on December 7, 1941, at 7:55 a.m.
  3. The attack was carried out by the Imperial Japanese Navy, led by Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto.
  4. The attack involved a surprise aerial bombardment on the U.S. Pacific Fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor.
  5. The attack lasted for approximately two hours and involved over 350 Japanese aircraft.
  6. The attack resulted in the deaths of 2,403 Americans, including 68 civilians.
  7. The attack also caused significant damage to several ships and airplanes, including the sinking of the USS Arizona.
  8. The day after the attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war on Japan in his famous “Day of Infamy” speech to Congress.
  9. The attack on Pearl Harbor was a major turning point in World War II and prompted the United States to enter the war.
  10. The attack was carried out as a preemptive strike by Japan in response to the U.S. imposing economic sanctions on Japan.
  11. The attack was intended to cripple the U.S. Pacific Fleet and prevent the United States from interfering with Japan’s plans for expansion in the Pacific.
  12. The attack was carried out without a declaration of war, which led to criticism from the international community.
  13. The attack caused outrage and anger among the American people, and led to a surge in enlistments in the military.
  14. The attack resulted in the formation of the War Relocation Authority, which led to the internment of Japanese Americans during the war.
  15. The attack also led to the development of new military strategies and technologies, including the use of aircraft carriers and radar.
  16. The attack on Pearl Harbor is still considered one of the deadliest attacks on American soil in history.
  17. The USS Arizona Memorial, which sits over the sunken remains of the USS Arizona, is a popular tourist attraction in Hawaii.
  18. The attack on Pearl Harbor was the subject of the 1970 film “Tora! Tora! Tora!”.
  19. The attack was also depicted in the 2001 film “Pearl Harbor”.
  20. The attack on Pearl Harbor is still remembered and honored today with ceremonies and memorials across the United States.
  21. Every year on December 7th, the American flag is flown at half-mast to commemorate the attack.
  22. The attack on Pearl Harbor is often referred to as the “Day of Infamy”.
  23. The attack led to the entry of the United States into World War II and the eventual defeat of Japan and its allies.
  24. The attack on Pearl Harbor is considered a turning point in American history, as it marked the beginning of the United States’ emergence as a global superpower.
  25. The attack on Pearl Harbor serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the men and women who served their country during World War II.

We hope you enjoyed these facts about Pearl Harbor Day!

Facts About Pearl Harbor Day for Kids

Here are 10 fun facts about Pearl Harbor Day that kids might enjoy:

  1. Pearl Harbor Day is observed every year on December 7th to remember the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
  2. The attack was carried out by the Imperial Japanese Navy on a U.S. naval base located in Hawaii.
  3. The attack was a surprise attack that caught the American forces off guard.
  4. The attack lasted for about two hours and involved over 350 Japanese aircraft.
  5. The attack resulted in the deaths of 2,403 Americans, including 68 civilians.
  6. The day after the attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war on Japan in his famous “Day of Infamy” speech to Congress.
  7. The attack on Pearl Harbor was a major turning point in World War II and prompted the United States to enter the war.
  8. The USS Arizona Memorial, which sits over the sunken remains of the USS Arizona, is a popular tourist attraction in Hawaii.
  9. Every year on December 7th, the American flag is flown at half-mast to commemorate the attack.
  10. Pearl Harbor Day serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the men and women who served their country during World War II.

We hope you enjoyed these facts about Pearl Harbor Day!

Pearl Harbor Day Facts

What is the History of Pearl Harbor Day

Another fact about Pearl Harbor Day is that Pearl Harbor Day has its origins in the attack on Pearl Harbor, which occurred on December 7, 1941. The attack was carried out by the Imperial Japanese Navy on a U.S. naval base located in Hawaii. The attack resulted in the deaths of 2,403 Americans, including 68 civilians, and the destruction of several ships and airplanes.

The attack on Pearl Harbor was a major turning point in World War II and prompted the United States to enter the war. The day after the attack, on December 8, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war on Japan in his famous “Day of Infamy” speech to Congress.

In the aftermath of the attack, there was a surge of patriotism and a desire to honor the memory of those who had died. On December 15, 1941, Congress passed a joint resolution declaring December 7th to be “National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.”

The first Pearl Harbor Day was observed on December 7, 1942, with a moment of silence and prayer at 7:55 a.m., the time the attack began. Over the years, the observance has evolved to include ceremonies, parades, and other events to honor the memory of those who died and to pay tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the men and women who served in World War II.

Pearl Harbor Day is observed every year on December 7th to remember the attack on Pearl Harbor and to honor the memory of those who lost their lives. The day serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the men and women who served their country during World War II and of the importance of remaining vigilant in the face of threats to national security.

What Happened After the Attacks on Pearl Harbor?

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States declared war on Japan and entered World War II. The attack shocked the nation and united Americans in a common cause. In addition to the facts about Pearl Harbor Day, here are some of the key events that happened after the attack:

  1. The United States declared war on Japan: The day after the attack, on December 8, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war on Japan in his famous “Day of Infamy” speech to Congress.
  2. Germany and Italy declare war on the United States: On December 11, 1941, Germany and Italy, allies of Japan, declared war on the United States.
  3. Mobilization for war: The attack on Pearl Harbor galvanized the nation and led to a massive mobilization effort to prepare for war. Factories were converted to produce war materials, and millions of Americans joined the military or supported the war effort in other ways.
  4. The Pacific Theater of War: The attack on Pearl Harbor was the beginning of the Pacific Theater of War, which saw the United States and its allies fighting against Japan in the Pacific Ocean and Asia.
  5. The European Theater of War: The United States also fought in the European Theater of War, which saw the Allies fighting against Germany and its allies in Europe.
  6. The Manhattan Project: The United States initiated the Manhattan Project, a top-secret research program to develop an atomic bomb.
  7. Allied victory: After several years of fighting, the Allied powers emerged victorious in both the Pacific and European theaters of war, culminating in the surrender of Japan on September 2, 1945, and Germany on May 8, 1945.

The attack on Pearl Harbor was a pivotal moment in American history and led to the United States becoming a major world power. It also led to significant changes in American society, including increased government involvement in the economy and advancements in technology and medicine

Why is it Named “Pearl Harbor”?

Another fact about Pearl Harbor Day is that Pearl Harbor itself is named after the shallow, pear-shaped harbor that is located on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The harbor is named “Pearl” because the early pearl industry was once centered there, and the harbor was known for its abundance of pearl oysters.

The name “Pearl Harbor” became famous around the world on December 7, 1941, when it was the site of a surprise military attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy on the United States. The attack led to the United States entering World War II and remains a significant event in American history.

Pearl Harbor is home to several memorials and museums that commemorate the attack and honor the memory of those who lost their lives. The most famous of these is the USS Arizona Memorial, which sits over the sunken remains of the USS Arizona and is one of the most visited sites in Hawaii.

Quotes about Pearl Harbor Day

In addition to the facts about Pearl Harbor Day, here are some quotes about Pearl Harbor:

  1. “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.” – President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in his “Day of Infamy” speech to Congress on December 8, 1941.
  2. “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.” – Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, Japanese Marshal Admiral, after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
  3. “We were all in a state of shock, disbelief and sadness. I felt that I had somehow let the country down.” – Dorinda Makanaonalani Nicholson, survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
  4. “The attack on Pearl Harbor galvanized America and unleashed a wave of patriotism and sacrifice that helped define the Greatest Generation.” – Tom Brokaw, American journalist and author.
  5. “Pearl Harbor is a solemn reminder that our freedom is never free.” – Senator John McCain, American politician and veteran.
  6. “The attack on Pearl Harbor was a defining moment in American history, a moment that shaped the course of the 20th century.” – President Barack Obama, in his remarks at the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
  7. “We will never forget those who perished on December 7, 1941, nor the courage and sacrifice of all who fought to defend freedom and democracy during World War II.” – President Donald Trump, in his proclamation for National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in 2019.

We hope you enjoyed these facts about Pearl Harbor Day!

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Pearl Harbor Day Facts