Historical Attack Of Pearl Harbor: 7 December 1941… This is the date, whose impact can be felt even today in the veins of history. The Hawaiian Islands, nestled in the blue expanse of the Pacific Ocean, were as calm as they usually were every morning. At that time no one had any idea that after a few moments a disaster was going to descend from the sky, which would change history forever. The rain of fire and smoke changed the direction of the world’s biggest war.
At around 8 in the morning on the Hawaiian Islands, American soldiers were engaged in their daily duty, when suddenly the thundering sound of the engine shattered the peace. Within no time, dozens of Japanese fighter planes attacked the Pearl Harbor naval base. In just less than 2 hours, this attack became a conflagration that dragged distant America directly into World War II. This attack by Japan that day took place without any announcement, without any warning. The world was already burning in war and America, which had stood aside till now, also entered into it.
How did Pearl Harbor draw America into the war?
This attack on Pearl Harbor was the incident which broke America’s neutrality in a moment. This attack by Japan tore the heart of the American Navy. The attack dealt a blow to the American Navy that no one had imagined. All eight American warships were destroyed and four sank in the water. 19 American ships were either destroyed or rendered useless in the battle. 328 aircraft were destroyed or badly damaged and the most shocking figure was the death of more than 2400 American soldiers.
Japan rained bombs for about 1 hour 15 minutes. (Credit- Reuters)
1.25 hours that changed history
Japan rained bombs for about 1 hour 15 minutes. Air, sea and land, there was only smoke, fire and chaos everywhere. The attack was so fast and sudden that the American soldiers did not even get a chance to recover. On the other hand, more than 100 Japanese soldiers were also killed, but at least for that day, Japan had strategically brought America to its knees. This attack took place at a time when the Japanese representative in Washington was talking to US Secretary of State Cordell Hull regarding economic sanctions imposed on Japan. This is why America was completely shocked. Sanctions on Japan were imposed due to Japan’s increasing military activities in China and Japan considered it an attack on its national prestige. This resentment turned into a declaration of war.
America was surprised by Japan’s attacks. (Credit- Reuters)
Revenge of Pearl Harbor- Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Immediately after the attack, the then US President Franklin D Roosevelt addressed the nation and said – ‘December 7, 1941, this date will remain a day of disgrace.’ With this announcement, America jumped into the war and took over the decisive front of the Great War on behalf of the Allies. Finally, in 1945, when America dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, historians considered it as revenge for Pearl Harbor. About 1.5 lakh people were killed in Hiroshima and about 80 thousand people were killed in Nagasaki. This became the most horrific chapter in human history. This was a terrible retribution for the fear created by Pearl Harbor.
84 years have passed since the Pearl Harbor incident. (Credit- Reuters)
How did Japan turn from enemy to friend?
After Pearl Harbor, mistrust and bitterness remained in the relations between the two countries for many decades. It is said that time is the greatest healer. Finally, in 2016, US President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe together accepted this painful history. First Obama reached Hiroshima and a few months later, both the leaders reached the place together on the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, where the direction of history changed. Obama was the first American President to do so, healing old wounds and creating a new beginning of trust and respect between the two countries.
America was surprised by Japan’s attacks. (Credit- Reuters)
84 years of history changing event
It has been 84 years since the Pearl Harbor incident, but this attack teaches us that one attack, one decision, one morning can change the future of the entire world. Japan thought that it would scare America into retreating, but the opposite happened. This attack took America into a war which decided the defeat of Japan. That morning of 1941 still tells us that war is never a permanent solution, it only leaves pain for humanity.
