Pearl Harbor
2,402 Americans, mostly military personnel, were killed in an attack by Japanese aircraft on Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. Within 24 hours of this attack two other US Territorial Possessions were also attacked by the Japanese Navy, Guam and the Philippines. These attacks and Japanese attacks on British controlled territories in Asia linked the Japanese wars against Korea and China to the war raging in Europe since 1939 and created “World War II.”
What can you find out about the attack on Pearl Harbor? Can you find stories? Pictures? Newspapers? Can you find a map showing where Pearl Harbor is? Is Pearl Harbor still a US Naval Base today?
Why did Japan want to attack Pearl Harbor? Before December 7, 1941 was Japan at war? If so, who were they fighting?
What other places did Japan attack on December 7th and 8th, 1941?
What did Americans know about Hawaii in 1941? What do you know about United States' Territories today? How much can you say about Guam?
What happened to the ships at Pearl Harbor? Were they repaired?
Bonus Physics Question: The 2001 film Pearl Harbor shows bombs falling straight down on the USS Arizona, can you explain what is wrong with that?
What did people think when Pearl Harbor was attacked? Is the attack on Pearl Harbor remembered today?
The New York Times front page (December 8, 1941)
Pearl Harbor (YouTube movie, 2001 excerpt)
Above: USS Maryland (left) and USS Arizona (right) on December 7, 1941
Below: Ships at Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941
Below: New York World-Telegram December 8, 1941
