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The Pearl Harbor Attack

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December 7, 1941 the Pearl Harbor attack was a big event in history that led to the US joining World War II. It was a surprise attack, the attack lasted from 7:55 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. The Japanese had over 2,000,000 ground troops and air fleets together that were trained, while the Americans had over 1,000,000 ground troops and air fleets all together which most of them were not trained at all. The US was unprepared because they did not believe that the Japanese were on the verge of attacking the United States but plans were made to attack against the United States as early as January 1941. Hundreds of Japanese fighter planes attacked Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, Hawaii. All the planes on the Japanese ships were fully fueled and armed. The attack planes came in two waves which were approximately forty-five minutes apart and more than 2,000 American soldiers and sailors died in the attack, while about 1,000 were wounded. The …show more content…

The next day after the attack president Franklin D. Roosevelt asked the congress to declare war on japan. The congress soon approved his request. Germany and Italy were Japanese allies, they were known as the Axis powers and three days later they also declared war on the United States. Great Britain, France and Russia were Americas allies. Before the Americans joined the war they were only committed to sending war supplies on loan to their allies. When the Japanese left the Americans didn't know it was over, they were expecting another wave to hit. After two years of conflict it soon became World War II. The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor will always be a big event in history and it will also be an unforgettable day for many. The Pearl Harbor memorial, known as the USS Arizona Memorial is a National Monument located at the site of the sunken battleship USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor, where many people visit

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