Attack on Pearl Harbor in popular culture facts for kids
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike by the Japanese navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. This event brought the United States into World War II. Because it was such an important moment in history, the attack on Pearl Harbor has been shown in many ways in popular culture. You can find it in films, books, and even special memorials.
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Remembering the Attack
Today, the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii honors those who died during the attack. Visitors take boats to reach this special place. The memorial was designed by Alfred Preis. It looks like it sags in the middle but has strong ends. This design shows "initial defeat and ultimate victory." It remembers everyone who lost their lives on December 7, 1941.
December 7 is known as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in the United States. It's not a federal holiday, but the nation remembers the thousands injured and killed. On this day, the American flag is often flown at half-staff until sunset. Schools and other places also lower the flag out of respect. Every year, ceremonies are held at Pearl Harbor. Some of the brave veterans who were there during the attack still attend these ceremonies.
The battleship USS Missouri is now a museum ship at Pearl Harbor. This is where World War II officially ended on September 2, 1945. It is moored very close to the Arizona memorial. Other ships that survived the attack are also museum ships. These include the US Coast Guard cutter USCGC Taney in Baltimore, Maryland, and the US Navy tug Hoga in Arkansas.
Pearl Harbor in Stories and Entertainment
The attack on Pearl Harbor has inspired many stories, plays, films, and video games. These help people understand the event and its impact.
Books and Plays
Many authors have written books about Pearl Harbor. These include:
- James Jones. From Here to Eternity (1951). This famous novel is set in Hawaii just before the attack.
- Neal Stephenson. Cryptonomicon (1999).
- Gore Vidal. The Golden Age (2000).
- Mark Siegelberg wrote a play called The face of Pearl Harbour in 1944.
Films, Television, and Video Games
Many movies and TV shows have shown the attack on Pearl Harbor.
- Remember Pearl Harbor (1942) was one of the first films made after the attack.
- Air Force (1943) is a propaganda film. It shows the story of a B-17 bomber crew during the attack.
- December 7th: The Movie (1943) was directed by John Ford. It recreates the Japanese attacks. Sometimes, footage from this movie has been mistakenly used as real attack footage.
- From Here to Eternity (1953) is a movie based on the James Jones novel. It's a drama set in Hawaii before the attack.
- In Harm's Way (1965) shows the attack from the viewpoint of sailors on a ship leaving the harbor.
- Storm Over the Pacific (1961), also known as I Bombed Pearl Harbor, is a Japanese film. It tells the story from the perspective of Japanese airmen.
- Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) is a famous movie made by both Japanese and American filmmakers. It carefully shows the events leading up to the bombing from both sides.
- Pearl (1978) was a TV miniseries about the events before the attack.
- Pearl Harbor (2001) is a love story set around the attack.
- Attack on Pearl Harbor (2007) is a flight simulator video game. It lets players experience the attack and other famous battles.
- Midway (2019) features the attack on Pearl Harbor at the beginning of the film. Much of it is seen from the deck of the USS Arizona as it explodes.
Learning from History: Non-Fiction and Books
Many non-fiction books have been written to help us understand the attack on Pearl Harbor. These books use facts, documents, and eyewitness accounts to tell the story.
- The Attack on Pearl Harbor: An Illustrated History by Larry Kimmett and Margaret Regis uses maps, photos, and illustrations to show the "Day of Infamy."
- At Dawn We Slept: The Untold Story of Pearl Harbor by Gordon W. Prange is a very detailed book. It looks at the events leading up to the attack from both Japanese and American viewpoints. Prange spent many years researching this book.
- Day of Infamy by Walter Lord is another popular non-fiction book about the attack.
- Pearl Harbor: Final Judgment by Henry C. Clausen and Bruce Lee shares information that was once secret.
- Pearl Survivors: Eyewitness Accounts in their own words by Dick Jensen tells the stories of 18 servicemen who were at Pearl Harbor that day.
What If? Alternate History
Some stories explore "alternate history." This means they imagine what might have happened if things had gone differently.
- The Final Countdown (1980) is a movie where a modern aircraft carrier travels back in time to the day before the attack.
- The Konpeki no Kantai (1993) animated series imagines a different outcome where Japan successfully invades Hawaii.
- Days of Infamy (2004) by Harry Turtledove is a novel where the Japanese attack on Hawaii is a full-scale invasion.
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