Pearl Harbor: Japan's shocking conspiracy to attack the United States, setting off the Pacific War. On December 7, 1941, a calm Sunday morning, Pearl Harbor in Hawaii was suddenly bombarded by Japanese naval aviation. This sneak attack without warning destroyed most of the combat power of the U. S. Pacific Fleet, causing the deaths of more than 2,400 Americans and more than 1,000 casualties. This incident shocked the whole world and changed the course of world history. The next day, U. S. President Roosevelt delivered the famous "Despicable Day" speech in Congress, declaring war on Japan and officially joining World War II. This war lasted for more than four years and was one of the most brutal wars in human history.
