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Japanese Navy leaves Japan
Admiral Chūichi Nagumo takes command of the Japanese First Air Fleet and begins to move towards Pearl Harbor. This movement was a response to the U.S's decision not to lift economic sanctions on Japan. -
The Japanese attack Pearl Harbor
At 7:48 AM local time, 177 aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy attack the US Naval base at Pearl Harbor, on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The attack destroys 20 naval ships and more than 300 planes. More than 2,000 crew members lose their lives. With Pearl Harbor being a major oil and fueling station for ships and planes, Japan saw this as a major asset to the United States and attacking it would cripple their military. -
President Franklin D. Roosevelt declares war
Roosevelt promises to "make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again." He asks Congress to declare war on Japan. Congress approves, and three days later, Germany and Italy declare war on the US, bringing the US into WWII. -
The Doolittle Raid attacks Tokyo
Lieutenant Colonel James H. Doolittle leads 16 American B-25 bombers on a mission to bomb Tokyo. On the ground, the raid killed around 50 people and injured 400. Damage to Japanese military and industrial targets was minimal, but the raid had major psychological effects. In the United States, it raised morale. In Japan, it raised fear and doubt about the ability of military leaders to defend the home islands. This weakens the Japanese government's prestige and shakes their confidence. -
Battle of Midway begins
After the 4 day battle, the outmatched US Pacific Fleet destroy four Japanese aircraft carriers while only losing one if its own. This battle was a major U.S victory. Japan hoped to defeat the US Pacific Fleet and use Midway as a base to attack Pearl Harbor, securing dominance in the region and then forcing a negotiated peace with the US. -
Crew of Enola Gay prepares (August,1945)
Twelve crewmen on a top secret mission begin preparing their plane, named Enola Gay, which was named after pilot Colonel Paul Tibbets Jr's mother, Enola Gay Tibbets. They were told their mission will either shorten or end the war completely. This B-29 bomber that was used by the United States on August 6, 1945, to drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, was the first time the explosive device had been used on an enemy target. -
The U.S drops the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima.
At 8:15 am Hiroshima time, the Enola Gay flies over Hiroshima and drops the world's first atomic bomb, named "Little Boy." About 80,000 people die from the bomb, and another 35,000 are injured. In Hiroshima almost everything up to about one mile from X was completely destroyed, except for a small number (about 50) of heavily reinforced concrete buildings, most of which were specially designed to withstand earthquake shock. However, the Japanese do not surrender. -
The U.S drops a second Atomic Bomb
Since Japan did not surrender, the US drops another bomb on the city of Nagasaki, called "Fat Man." In Nagasaki, nearly everything within ½ mile of the explosion was destroyed, including heavy structures. All Japanese homes were destroyed within 1 ½ miles from X. The destruction moves Japanese officials to action. Finally, Japan considers surrendering. -
The Japanese surrender on Battleship Missouri
The Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu signed a declaration of surrender on behalf of the Japanese government and armed forces. Supreme Commander Douglas MacArthur then signed the document of behalf of all the members of the United Nations.