Today in History: Air Raid on Pearl Harbor
Today in History–December 7–the Library of Congress features the Japanese air raid on Pearl Harbor, which occurred on this day in 1941. A hurried Navy dispatch sent out the news: AIR RAID ON PEARL HARBOR X THIS IS NOT DRILL. More than 2,300 Americans were killed, 160 aircraft were destroyed, and 12 ships sank. The next day the United States declared war on Japan. Learn more about this fateful day in U.S. history by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access personal narratives and more primary sources related to Pearl Harbor.
Through the Enemy’s Eyes Pearl Harbor story map
Pearl Harbor 1941 historical newspaper coverage
Pearl Harbor 1900-1912 historical newspaper coverage
Select Pearl Harbor veteran oral histories
More digitized Pearl Harbor veteran oral histories
After the Day of Infamy: “Man-on-the-Street” Interviews Following the Attack on Pearl Harbor
Teaching ideas for the ”Man-on-the-Street” Interviews and the Dear Mr. President interviews
Pearl Harbor Oral Histories (streaming webcast)
After Pearl Harbor: Music, War and the Library of Congress (streaming webcast)
Contemporary Pearl Harbor legislation
Library Pearl Harbor blog posts
- Pearl Harbor: As Experienced by Those Who Were There and Some Who Were Not Folklife Today December 5, 2014
- Pearl Harbor: The Nation’s Immediate Response Teaching with the Library of Congress November 17, 2011
- Remembering Pearl Harbor with Ansel Adams’ Collection Teaching with the Library of Congress December 4, 2012