20 Facts about Pearl Harbor

On this 69th anniversary of the attack, we revisit the sunken battleships and more.

In honor of those who lost their lives in the attack on Pearl Harbor 69 years ago today, we offer 20 interesting facts about that ill-fated day in history.

Hawaii islands

Pearl Harbor, home to this fleet in 1941, is located on what Hawaiian island?

Japanese imperialism

What were the reasons behind the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor?

Attack on Pearl Harbor

What was the name of the Japanese admiral who led the attack on Pearl Harbor?


Imperial Japanese Navy

How many Japanese bombers attacked Pearl Harbor?


Pearl Harbor timeline

What time did the attack on Pearl Harbor start?

Military attacks on American soil

How long did the attack on Pearl Harbor last?


US casualties

How many people, military and civilians, were killed or wounded at Pearl Harbor?


Hawaiian statehood

Since Hawaii wasn't a U.S. state yet, what treaty gave the United States access to Pearl Harbor?

US naval commanders

Who was the naval commander of the Pacific Fleet on the fateful day at Pearl Harbor?

Aviation technology history

What was the name of the officer who didn't act on the radar warning about Pearl Harbor?

Heroism at Pearl Harbor

What surprising battleship crewman was awarded the Navy Cross for firing at Japanese war planes with this weapon?

US Navy ships

To this day, more than 1,000 crewmen are entombed on what sunken battleship?

Pearl Harbor Battleship Row

Which battleships were in the port on the day Pearl Harbor was attacked?

US Navy fleets

What important military vessels escaped the Japanese bombers' attack on Pearl Harbor?

Wartime presidential addresses

What is the famous phrase from President Franklin D. Roosevelt's address to Congress the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor?

US Congress & World War II

What was the second nation on which the U.S. Congress declared war following the attack on Pearl Harbor?


Survivors of Pearl Harbor

What did the survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor say?

Aftermath of Pearl Harbor

What well-known American jurist served at Pearl Harbor during World War II?

Battle deaths in American wars

World War II remains the worst in terms of American war casualties. What military conflict takes second place?