We The People, is our new educational series highlighting essential facts every American should know. It's designed to be educational, nonpartisan and patriotic.
1. It was a surprise, but not completely off the radar.
U.S. intelligence had picked up hints of Japanese military movement in the Pacific, but no one expected a strike 4,000 miles away at Pearl Harbor. The location of the attack—not the possibility of conflict—was the real surprise.
2. The entire attack lasted only about 90 minutes.
From the first bomb at 7:55 a.m. to the final wave pulling back, the strike was shockingly fast. In that short window, eight battleships were damaged or sunk and more than 2,400 Americans were killed.
3. The USS Arizona remains a tomb and memorial.
More than 900 sailors and Marines are still entombed inside the ship where it rests. The memorial straddling the wreck has become one of the most visited U.S. historic sites.
4. The attack missed the U.S. aircraft carriers.
Ironically, the Japanese mainly targeted battleships, believing they were the backbone of naval power. The U.S. carriers—Lexington, Enterprise, and Saratoga—were all at sea. Those carriers later became decisive in turning the war around at Midway.
5. The mistake that saved America’s fuel supply.
Japan never attacked the massive fuel tanks, dry docks, and repair facilities at Pearl Harbor. If they had, the Pacific Fleet might have been crippled for a year or more. Many historians consider this one of Japan's greatest strategic mistakes.
6. A tiny U.S. force fought back immediately—and surprisingly well.
Between anti-aircraft gunners, base defenders, and a handful of pilots who scrambled into the air, the U.S. managed to shoot down 29 Japanese aircraft during the attack. It wasn’t enough to stop the assault, but it showed instant resilience.
Before the attack, America was deeply split on entering WWII. After December 7, the country shifted almost instantly into full commitment. It was one of the fastest and most complete changes in public opinion in U.S. history.
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