In the early morning hours on Sunday December 7, 1941, America was attacked by the Japanese. The attack was on the US Naval Base in Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Pearl Harbor had been destroyed along with many ships and buildings, and over 2,000 sailors had been killed. America had never been attacked on their own land. The attack surprised Americans in the mainland and started to unite Americans to fight for democracy.

In the late 1930’s, Hitler began to his attempt to take over the world. The Germans had smashed through Europe and they were fighting with Russia to conquer the whole continent. The Germans became friends with the Japanese and plotted to take over the world.

In December 1941, the United States entered WWII on the side of the Allies, England and France. Japan made a surprise attack on an American naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Within two hours, Japanese bombers destroyed 19 ships in America’s fleet and 200 planes, and killed more than 2,000 American citizens. The next day, the United States declared war on Japan. Soon after, the other Axis powers, Germany and Italy, declared war on the United States.

Within months the United States, led by President Franklin Roosevelt, was fully involved in the war sending soldiers and supplies to Europe to help our Allies, England and France, fight against the Axis powers, Germany and Italy. The U.S. Navy and Marines fought in the waters of the Pacific.

This war proves that America will do whatever it takes to keep this country safe. It also shows that if you attack America, you better be ready to fight.