National Remembrance Day in the USA — anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor (07/12)

On December 7, the United States recalls the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, an event that prompted the United States to enter World War II. By special decree, US President Barack Obama proclaimed this day National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

Today in the country they remember those killed in World War II, flags are flown at half-mast everywhere, funeral ceremonies and patriotic events are held with marches to brass bands.

During World War II, on December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor, the largest US naval base in the Pacific Ocean, located on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, was suddenly attacked by the Japanese Army — at 07:55 without declaring war. 353 Japanese aircraft secretly flew up to the Hawaiian Islands and within two hours defeated the main body of the US Pacific Fleet.

The attack occurred after the United States imposed an embargo on Japanese oil supplies and froze Japanese assets and migration to the United States.

The attack was called the Hawaiian Operation. As a result, 4 battleships, a cruiser, 2 destroyers, several auxiliary vessels and 188 aircraft were destroyed. Also, 4 battleships, 3 light cruisers, a destroyer, 2 auxiliary vessels and over 100 aircraft were damaged. American losses amounted to more than 3.5 thousand people.

The Japanese lost 29 aircraft and six submarines, and over 70 aircraft were damaged. 64 people were killed and one person was captured.

Because of the attack, and especially because of its sudden nature, public opinion in America changed dramatically from an isolationist position to direct participation in hostilities.

On December 8, the United States, Great Britain, Canada and a number of other countries declared war on Japan.

US President Franklin Roosevelt called December 7, 1941 «shock and a day of national shame». Slogan «Remember Pearl Harbor (Remember Pearl Harbor) was the leader in the American war against Japan.

According to experts, the United States lost more than 400 thousand people in World War II.

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