1. Pearl Harbor is located on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, and serves as a major United States Navy base.

2. On December 7, 1941, Japan conducted a surprise military attack on the U.S. naval base in Pearl Harbor.

3. The attack on Pearl Harbor marked the entry of the United States into World War II.

4. The Japanese attack was led by Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto and involved approximately 350 aircraft launched from six aircraft carriers.

5. Overall, the Japanese attack consisted of two main waves: the first wave targeted primary battleships, while the second wave focused on secondary targets like cruisers and destroyers.

6. The first wave commenced at 7:55 AM local time and lasted for about 30 minutes, while the second wave began an hour later and continued for another 60 minutes.

7. During the attack on Pearl Harbor, eight U.S. battleships were damaged, with five sinking to the bottom of the harbor.

8. Other American vessels damaged in the attack included three cruisers, four destroyers, and several smaller ships.

9. Approximately 2,403 Americans were killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor, including 68 civilians. More than 1,100 additional individuals were injured.

10. The Japanese lost 29 aircraft during their attack and suffered 64 casualties among their ranks.

11. Despite attacking numerous U.S. vessels, one significant miss for Japan was that they failed to target major American aircraft carriers, as they were not docked at Pearl Harbor during the time of the strike.

12. The news of the Pearl Harbor attack prompted President Franklin D. Roosevelt to deliver his iconic “Infamy Speech” and ask Congress to declare war against Japan on December 8th.

13. Following the United States’ entry into World War II after Pearl Harbor, the country experienced a major shift in industrial production as many industries transitioned to manufacturing weapons and other war materials.

14. Pearl Harbor has since become a symbol of American resolve and heroism, with annual commemoration ceremonies held on December 7th at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Hawaii.

15. The attack on Pearl Harbor led to lasting negative sentiment towards Japan among the American public, which resulted in internment camps being established for Japanese Americans during the course of World War II.

16. Today, the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Utah Memorial, and USS Oklahoma Memorial serve as unique sites to honor those who lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor and educate visitors about the historic event.