Sixty seven years ago today on December 7, 1941 at 7:55 a.m., Japanese fighter planes dropped the first bomb on Wheeler Field, eight miles from Pearl Harbor.The surprise attack by the Japanese Imperial Navy led by Commander Mitsuo Fuchida on the Island of O'ahu, Hawaii killed more than 2,300 servicemen and 68 civilians and wounded numerous other Americans.
The U.S.S. Arizona was completely destroyed and seven other battleships were damaged or sunk.
There had been no formal declaration of war.
The entire nation was shocked by this attack and the United States declared war on Japan.
Two atomic bombs dropped on the cities of Nagasaki and Hiroshima brought surrender from Japan on August 14, 1945.
"The Oregonian", a Portland, Oregon newspaper has been credited with the first use of the phrase "Remember Pearl Harbor" in its' December 9, 1941 edition.
The song, "Remember Pear Harbor" and the saying became the slogan and battle cry of World War II.
Here are the words to the song:
History - in every century,
records an act that lives forevermore.
We'll recall - as in to line we fall
the thing that happened on Hawaii's shore
Let's REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR -
as we go to meet the foe -
Let's REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR
As we did the Alamo
We will always remember -
how they died for liberty,
Let's REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR
and go on to victory.
Although Pearl Harbor brought unprecedented unity from the American people during World War II, the cost in resources, lives, and sacrifice impacted generations of Americans.
Each year we honor the lives lost in that attack and salute the veterans of World War II.
Presently, we are engaged in a global war on terrorism and must once again unite to preserve our freedom.
Today, let's REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR, honor our veterans, and the brave men and women serving to advance freedom and peace around the world.
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24 comments:
I was born 5/3/1938 but the bombing of pearl harbor was such a thing that I remember our community reaction and I knew it was something bad even tho' i didn't understand what it was.
A day I remember even vividly although I was only eight! My parents and I had gone to the opening of a new radio station and that was the first news to come across the wires.
Judy,
We all need to learn something from all these events if we are to handle this menace of terrorism today. I had read and seen a film about Pearl Harbor a long time ago, but it happened before me...
I was born 5/4/37 so that made me four years old. I'm like Patsy. I can remember something bad going on, but I didn't realize what was happening. Sad time! Praying today for all the veterans and the peolple still serving in our military.
I'm so glad that wrote a post in honor of Pearl Harbor Day today! It is a day that should always be remembered and respected. I visited the memorial in Hawaii once and I truly felt like I was walking on hallowed ground and I was! This is a very lovely post, Judy!
This was an education to read, being English I didn't know much about Pearl Harbour, Many thanks for sharing this with many who like me was ignorant of the full facts.. Have a nice week.
Yvonne
Wonderful post. Thank you for doing it.
The WWII day I can never forget is Dday. I was born the next day.
Too bad the world seems to forget the lessons we should have learned from WWII
Like 'Welcome to my world of Poetry' I don't know much about Pearl Harbor' so thanks for this post it was very interesting .
Isn't a pity though that not much has been learned after all those who lost their lives there and at all the other places where war has happened.
When will they ever learn Judy, I wish that the world was 'run by women'. Sure as God made apples there would be less blood shed for wars.
Love and Peace, Kate xxx.
Judy, as always you write another informative post. I was not very old and do not remember much. Now you have reminded me. Take Care.
Those were terrible days for our country. I do not remember Pearl Harbor but do remember when my mother's brother's remains were returned from the Battle of Normandy. Sad times
I was eight years old at the time and I can remember listening to the broadcast of this tragedy as if it were yesterday. I looked out our windows for hours waiting for these planes to come over our house and bomb us. My father died before he could serve, my mom received his papers in the mail two days after his burial God Bless all that has served and our soldiers that are in harms way now, may our fallen comrades rest in piece. It is sad that the end of the war had to be so harsh.
Thank you for this excellent post on Pearl Harbor, Judy. I remember well my parents sharing their memories of that day and what an awful time it was.
God bless all those who serve our country and may He keep them safe and free from harm.
Pearl Harbour was shattering for the USA wasn't it Judy?
By the way did you know that Vikki of Red Chair has begun a discussion about Pip's father on Journeys in Creative Writing - she's talking direct to you!
Cheers
June in Oz
Pearl Harbor Day and 9-11-01 are two horrible American tragedies. I hope we never suffer losses like those again.
My parents' anniversary is today, so I always remember them and remember the attack on Pearl Harbor.
I hope you are enjoying the holiday season.
I'm sure having little Thomas Wyatt to spoil makes Christmas SO exciting and fun!!
My dad ran down and joined up right after Pearl Harbor, but was injured during basic training. He was classified 4F and missed out. It was one of the sad things of his life. The good part was he met my mother in 1943 and I was born in 1944. :)
Well said Judy, it's just a shame that we never seem to learn. I don't think there will ever be a time when there are no wars
Thanks, Judy, for such an interesting post!
This is a day we should never forget.I was just a baby (5-5'41) so have no personal memories of the day. I DO have memories of talk of the war in my very early life.
Hope you are enjoying the season, Judy! Your music here is very lovely.
Hugs))
Junie
Of course the FIRST attack on American soil was before I was born, but the second one was not. I'm sure the people who experienced Pearl Harbor had some of the same feelings I had after 9-11, like the lady who said she waited for planes to bomb her house. For weeks after 9-11, every time I would see a plane getting ready to land at our airport, I wondered if they were coming at Ft. Knox, even though common sense told me they were not. Scary times for all. We should all pray for our protectors.
Hey there, me again... when you get a minute check my blog, there's something for you.
Hugs!
Great post - I wonder when we will learn from the terror of the past. You write extremely well Judy.
Dear Judy,
Thanks for writing this about Pearl Harbor Day. I was eight years old when it happened and didn't know about it until the next day, since we didn't have instant news reporting then like we do now. The bombing became important to me because my two oldest brothers were serving in the army during the war, and met up on Okinawa in 1943. One was in R and R (rest camp). He had shell shock, and my other brother looked him up and spent several days with him. It was a time of great unrest in this country. I remember it all very well. thanks again for your great post.
Love, Ruby
Stopping by to say Logan's pictures are on my blog.
Hi Judy tried to get your latest blog about the toys in Walmart but it dosen't appear.The last one is about Pearl Harbour..
Have a nice day.
Yvonne
So heartfelt...so memorable...excellent!
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