I remember learning about Pearl Harbor in high school – I think we touched on it around 11th grade history? They covered the surprise attack by the Japanese that left 2400 Americans dead and became the catalyst for US involvement in WWII. As a high school student learning about the very basics of this event, it was just history – I didn’t feel any emotional attachment to the event, and I definitely didn’t comprehend the shock, horror, and violation of human rights that took place that day.
On Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, I think it’s important to know that Pearl Harbor is a US naval base on the southern coast of Oahu, near Honolulu, Hawaii. It was the scene of the devastating surprise attack by Japanese forces. Yes, Pearl Harbor is a place, but the events that took place there in 1941 were so shocking and devastating that the name itself is associated with the attack.
It helped me understand the events at Pearl Harbor when I learned that World War II was underway in Asia and Europe, and the US was trying really hard to stay out of it. America was finally emerging from the Great Depression and rebuilding our country after WWI. The last thing we wanted was to be part of another global war.
The sad thing is, the US and Japan were engaged in peace negotiations which is why the attack on Pearl Harbor is considered such a military crime. Japan had sent a proposal in the negotiations and the US responded with an agreement that was delivered to Tokyo just a few days before the attack on Pearl Harbor. Heartwrenchingly, Japan‘s forces had already left for Pearl Harbor and they never got the letter!
Through all the holiday cheer this December, let’s not forget to remember that 80 years ago 2400 brave Americans lost their lives in the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This Tuesday, take a moment to raise a glass to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, and thank the survivors of the day of infamy.
Are you related to survivors or veterans of Pearl Harbor?
Did you know there is a Museum of the War in the Pacific in Fredericksburg that has a large focus on Pearl Harbor?
Have you visited the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Hawaii?