Attack on Pearl Harbor Commemorative Color Coin

Hawaii, December 7, 1941: On this early Sunday morning, the faint drone of aircraft barely causes a stir on the Pearl Harbor Naval Base on Oahu's southern shore. Just before 8:00 a.m., the first wave of Japanese planes attacks the United States without warning. The base was attacked by over 300 Japanese fighters, bombers, and torpedo planes. By 9:45, when the air raid subsides, America's premiernaval base lies in ruin. The U.S. Pacific Fleet lost 17 ships and 188 aircraft. But it was the loss of 2,403 military and civilian lives that changed history forever, forcing America's hand in WorldWar II. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Congress declared war on Japan the next day. After nearly four years of war, Japan finally surrendered to the Allies on August 15, 1945. When America dropped atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki a few days later the victory was declared over Japan.