"A date which will live in infamy.."
"Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives: yesterday, December 7th, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan."
-----Franklin D. Roosevelt
Dec 8, 1941
Speaking before Congress
Today is the 65th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. While an overall tactical success for the Japanese, the battle proved to be a dramatic strategic failure as it drew a somewhat reluctant United States into the Second World War. Additionally, the attack failed to locate the American aircraft carriers which would prove decisive in the following Pacific war. By giving the United States a reason to join the hostilities, and a focus for its anger, the Empire of Japan sealed its own fate.
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto is credited with saying "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve".
In recent years, Japanese and American survivors have reconciled and even participate in joint memorial services for the fallen. I see "Pearl Harbor survivor" licsence plates around periodically. If you know of someone, be sure to thank them for their service today, along with other veterans you may know.
-----Franklin D. Roosevelt
Dec 8, 1941
Speaking before Congress
Today is the 65th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. While an overall tactical success for the Japanese, the battle proved to be a dramatic strategic failure as it drew a somewhat reluctant United States into the Second World War. Additionally, the attack failed to locate the American aircraft carriers which would prove decisive in the following Pacific war. By giving the United States a reason to join the hostilities, and a focus for its anger, the Empire of Japan sealed its own fate.
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto is credited with saying "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve".
In recent years, Japanese and American survivors have reconciled and even participate in joint memorial services for the fallen. I see "Pearl Harbor survivor" licsence plates around periodically. If you know of someone, be sure to thank them for their service today, along with other veterans you may know.