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The US gets a message hinting at an attack
U.S. intelligence decodes a message pointing to Sunday morning as a deadline for some kind of Japanese action. The message is sent to the Washington High Command before 9 a.m.. Pearl Harbor does not receive the message until the attack had already taken place.
https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4206060 -
First Wave
The first wave hit at 7:55 Hawaii time. Air stations at Hickam, Wheeler, Ford Island, Kaneohe, and Ewa field are hit along with the ships along Pearl Harbor.
https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4206060 -
USS Arizona
At 8:10, a 1,800 pound bomb is dropped from Japanese Aircraft and it hits the USS Arizona. The USS Arizona was a battle ship built for the American Navy during the 1910's. This ship is exploded and sinks with more than 1,000 people trapped. This is the first of many ships to be sank during this attack.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
2 hours later
After 2 hours, every ship at the harbor had significant damage-USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, USS California, USS West Virginia, USS Utah, USS Maryland, USS Pennsylvania, USS Tennessee and USS Nevada. All but the USS Arizona and the USS Utah were repaired.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
The aftermath
Throughout the attack, 2,403 Americans were killed and 1,143 were injured. The wounded included 710 navy, 69 marines, 364 army, and 103 civilians. 55 Japanese personnel were killed as well. Eighteen ships were sunk or run aground, including five battleships.
https://visitpearlharbor.org/faqs/how-many-people-died-at-pearl-harbor-during-the-attack/ -
Washington learns the news
At around 2:30 p.m., Washington finally learns of the attack after various delays. The news sends a shockwave across the nation and results in a increase of young volunteers into the U.S. armed forces.
http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/timeline/pearl.htm -
USS Oklahoma
Shortly after the USS Arizona is hit, torpedoes hit the USS Oklahoma. The USS Oklahoma was a battleship built for the American Navy in 1910. The ship loses balance and rolls underwater with 400 sailor aboard.
https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor -
The U.S. reacts
The United States and Britain declare war on Japan with President Roosevelt calling December 7, "a date which will live in infamy..."
A few days later Germany and Italy declare war on the United States. -
USS Arizona Memorial
In 1960, the construction of the USS Arizona memorial began. It was opened on May 30, 1962, Memorial Day. While it is meant to look like it is gracefully floating above the sunken USS Arizona, the memorial is supported by concrete columns driven 80 feet into the silt of Pearl Harbor.
https://visitpearlharbor.org/faqs/when-was-the-uss-arizona-memorial-built/ -
USS Oklahoma Memorial
For almost 60 years, the USS Oklahoma was only remembered through stories. But in 2000, survivors got together to discuss a memorial for the USS Oklahoma. By 2007, a memorial was built on Ford Island to honor the servicemen who were lost during the attack. It is recognized as a national memorial and is treated by the National Park Service
