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75 years ago, aboard a small plane over the Pacific Ocean, a pilot waited for the three words that would change history forever. Around him were hundred of other pilots, all flying towards the same mission. Hours earlier they had taken off from their carriers with great gusto, knowing they were on a mission to demonstrate their strength.
They fly over an island heading for their target. Then their flight leader issues the order, "Tora! Tora! Tora!"
In devastating effect, the pilots descended upon their prey, sleeping idly at anchor in the small harbor. They sank one ship after the other, damaging numerous others. One even erupted into a gargantuan fireball. Strafing the runways with the aircraft still parked neatly on the ground. Despite all vained efforts of their enemy, very few were shot down.
Two hours later it was over, the pilots turned for their carriers and their prey recovered. In that moment, the United States of America had been attacked without warning by the Empire of Japan, signifying their inevitable participation in the on going war.
In the two hour long attack, the American Armed Forces took significant losses, including the lives of 2,403 personnel, the majority of which were aboard the USS Arizona when a Japanese bomb detonated in the ship's magazine.
On December 8th, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued his penultimate speech to Congress. "Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 -- a day which will live in infamy..."After his address to congress, it voted upon unanimously. The United States had formally declared war on the Empire of Japan and her allies.
And so began a fight that would eventually claim hundreds of thousand of American lives.
75 years ago, the Empire of Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, killing over 2,400 and injuring another 1,800. We remember the lives lost in the attack. We remember the lives who were lost protecting what we treasure the most.
Today, we still remember Pearl Harbor.
They fly over an island heading for their target. Then their flight leader issues the order, "Tora! Tora! Tora!"
In devastating effect, the pilots descended upon their prey, sleeping idly at anchor in the small harbor. They sank one ship after the other, damaging numerous others. One even erupted into a gargantuan fireball. Strafing the runways with the aircraft still parked neatly on the ground. Despite all vained efforts of their enemy, very few were shot down.
Two hours later it was over, the pilots turned for their carriers and their prey recovered. In that moment, the United States of America had been attacked without warning by the Empire of Japan, signifying their inevitable participation in the on going war.
In the two hour long attack, the American Armed Forces took significant losses, including the lives of 2,403 personnel, the majority of which were aboard the USS Arizona when a Japanese bomb detonated in the ship's magazine.
On December 8th, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued his penultimate speech to Congress. "Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 -- a day which will live in infamy..."After his address to congress, it voted upon unanimously. The United States had formally declared war on the Empire of Japan and her allies.
And so began a fight that would eventually claim hundreds of thousand of American lives.
75 years ago, the Empire of Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, killing over 2,400 and injuring another 1,800. We remember the lives lost in the attack. We remember the lives who were lost protecting what we treasure the most.
Today, we still remember Pearl Harbor.
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