The tranquil waters of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, were shattered on December 7, 1941, by the thunderous roar of Japanese warplanes. This surprise attack, meticulously planned and executed, propelled the United States into the maelstrom of World War II, forever altering the course of history for the island nation and the world. Tensions between the US and Japan had been simmering for years. Japan’s expansionist ambitions in Asia clashed with American interests, leading to economic sanctions and diplomatic strains. The attack on Pearl Harbor, however, wasn’t simply an act of aggression; it was a calculated gamble to cripple the US Pacific Fleet and prevent interference in its planned conquests. On Sunday, December 7, 1941, the attack began before dawn. A wave of Japanese planes descended upon the unsuspecting naval base. Battleships, moored in a line, became sitting ducks. Explosions ripped through the air, flames engulfing ships and casting an eerie glow over the water. The USS Arizona, struck by multiple bombs, became a fiery tomb for over 1,100 sailors. Casualties mounted rapidly; civilians were caught in the crossfire, adding to the tragic toll. The attack on Pearl Harbor galvanized the American spirit. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s iconic “Day of Infamy” speech rallied the nation, uniting it in a resolute response. The US formally declared war on Japan, marking its official entry into World War II. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is administered by the US National Park Service. Three other museums are located near the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. These are the USS Bowfin and Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, the USS Missouri Memorial, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. Together, they comprise the entity known as Pearl Harbor Historic Sites. They cover all aspects of the Pacific War from start to finish.