OCALA, FL (352today.com) – On December 7, 1941, the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese military thrust the United States into World War II.
Here are some key facts about this historic event:
- The Attack: Hundreds of Japanese fighter planes launched a devastating attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
- First Shots Fired: The USS Ward, a destroyer, fired the first shots of the war against a Japanese submarine.
- Motivations: The attack was a response to U.S. economic sanctions imposed on Japan due to its aggressive expansion in East Asia.
- Duration of the Attack: The attack lasted for approximately one hour and 15 minutes.
- Devastating Toll: The attack resulted in the deaths of over 2,400 American servicemen and women, and the destruction of numerous ships and aircraft.
- A Warning Ignored: Despite warnings of a potential attack, the U.S. military was caught off guard.
- A Date Which Will Live in Infamy: President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s powerful speech to Congress on December 8, 1941, solidified the attack’s place in history.
In remembrance of Pearl Harbor Day, there will be events that you can attend on Saturday, Dec. 7, right here in the 352.
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Marion County Commissioners Auditorium, located at 601 SE 25th Ave. in Ocala, beginning at 10 a.m.
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Umatilla Veterans Village, located at 254 S. Central Ave. in Umatilla, from 12:30-4 p.m.