Over 2000 lives were lost in the attack

Some of the most heartbreaking facts regarding Pearl Harbor are the number of people who died and were injured. The attack significantly surprised Americans. The noises of alarms, bombs detonating, and gunshots roused many of them. Others believed it to be a drill. With lockers shut, guns unattended, etc, they were extremely unprepared. The deadly attack damaged 188 planes and 19 US Navy vessels. 2,280 service members - men and women - died overall, while 1109 sustained injuries. 68 civilians were also killed. On the USS Arizona, there were more than 1000 victims.

With their attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese aimed to terrify the United States and deter them from joining World War 2. The attack had the exact opposite impact. Before the attack on Pearl Harbor, American was hesitant to join World War II. The following day, on December 8, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, with the electorate of the United States behind him, declared war on Japan.

According to Pearl Harbor information, Germany and Italy both declared war on the United States three days later, on December 11, 1941. The United States replied by declaring war on Germany and Italy right away. The attack on Pearl Harbor led to the United States engaging the wars in Europe and the Pacific within four days of the attack, not preventing the country from entering World War II.