On December 7th 1942, the United States Navy was attacked by the Japanese Empire at Honolulu’s Pear Harbor. The attack, which officially brought the United States into World War II, killed 2,390 servicemen and 49 civilians.
In an address to the United States Congress the following day, President Roosevelt remarked that the day of the attack will be “a date which will live in infamy” and urged congress to declare war on the Japanese Empire.
While there has been peace between the United States and Japan for many decades, the country remembers the day with flags flying at half-staff and gatherings to memorialize the lost.
Today about 2,000 gathered at Pearl Harbor for moment of silence at 7:55am, the precise time when the attack started 71 years ago, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Edwin Schuler, of San Jose, Calif., said he remembered going up to the bridge of his ship, the USS Phoenix, to read a book on a bright, sunny Sunday morning in 1941 when he saw planes dropping bombs.
“I thought, ‘Whoa, they’re using big practice bombs,’ I didn’t know,” said Schuler, 91.
Schuler said he’s returned for the annual ceremony about 30 times because it’s important to spread the message of remembering Pearl Harbor.
In solidarity with many around the country, today we remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
(Photo Credit: United States Navy)
Think people should hear about this?