FDR Asks Congress to Declare War on Japan (7:47)
On the day after the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt tells a joint session of Congress that the United States must take up arms in response.
Speeches & Audio (2)
-
FDR Asks Congress to Declare War on Japan
FDR Asks Congress to Declare War on JapanAudio Clip (7:47)
Audio Clip (7:47)
On the day after the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt tells a joint session of Congress that the United States must take up arms in response.
-
Pearl Harbor Attack
Pearl Harbor AttackAudio Clip (1:30)
Audio Clip (1:30)
Shortly after Japanese bombers attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, NBC radio reporter H. V. Kaltenborn brings the nation up to date as the events play out in the Pacific.
Videos (16)
-
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl HarborVideo Clip (1:49)
Video Clip (1:49)
On December 7, 1941, Japan launches a surprise attack on American soil at Pearl Harbor.
-
FDR: A Voice of Hope
FDR: A Voice of HopeVideo Clip (4:06)
Video Clip (4:06)
Elected in 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt was a reassuring presence for many Americans through the trials of the Great Depression.
-
Jimmie Kayana
Jimmie KayanaVideo Clip (2:39)
Video Clip (2:39)
The son of Japanese immigrants, Army Medic Jimmie Kanaya joined the U.S. Army in 1941. Although his family was relocated to an internment camp after the attack on Pearl Harbor and he himself was treated as an enemy for some time, he eventually volunteered for America's first all-Japanese Regiment.
-
Japanese Internment in America
Japanese Internment in AmericaVideo Clip (2:47)
Video Clip (2:47)
In 1942, thousands of Japanese Americans living in the United States are forced into war relocation camps.
-
Flying in the South Pacific
Flying in the South PacificVideo Clip (3:31)
Video Clip (3:31)
Fred Linden's father was a PBY naval aviator during World War II and left behind two reels of film documenting his service in the South Pacific.
-
Kenneth M. Taylor at Pearl Harbor
Kenneth M. Taylor at Pearl HarborVideo Clip (4:02)
Video Clip (4:02)
During the attack on Pearl Harbor WWII veteran Kenneth Taylor led an air assault against the Japanese.
-
Richard Young Recalls Pearl Harbor
Richard Young Recalls Pearl HarborVideo Clip (3:19)
Video Clip (3:19)
WWII veteran Richard Young talks about his experience during the attack on Pearl harbor.
-
Battle of Guam
Battle of GuamVideo Clip (2:35)
Video Clip (2:35)
On July 21, 1944, U.S. forces advance in the Mariana Islands to capture the former American territory of Guam from the Japanese.
-
Battle of Peleliu
Battle of PeleliuVideo Clip (2:09)
Video Clip (2:09)
In a costly battle, U.S. forces assault Peleliu in the Palau Islands to diminish its potential threat to their future invasions in the Pacific.
-
MacArthur and Me
MacArthur and MeVideo Clip (3:44)
Video Clip (3:44)
Judy Kent's neighbor, George Dibbs, was a combat photographer follwing General MacArthur during WWII and shared his films with her.
-
Battle of Kwajalein
Battle of KwajaleinVideo Clip (2:04)
Video Clip (2:04)
The U.S. invades Kwajalein on January 31, 1944, breaking the outer ring of the Japanese Pacific territory.
-
Battle of Saipan
Battle of SaipanVideo Clip (2:17)
Video Clip (2:17)
On June 15, 1944, the U.S. launches a critical attack on Saipan in the Mariana Islands.
-
Rockie Blunt
Rockie BluntVideo Clip (2:05)
Video Clip (2:05)
Born in 1925 in Worcester, Massachusetts, Army Infantryman Rockie Blunt battled his way across Europe and into the heart of Hitler's Third Reich. What he saw and experienced during the war continues to impact his life today, over 60 years later.
-
Battle of Okinawa
Battle of OkinawaVideo Clip (2:30)
Video Clip (2:30)
On April 1, 1945, Allied forces invade the island of Okinawa and engage the Japanese in the bloodiest battle of the Pacific War.
-
Battle of Iwo Jima
Battle of Iwo JimaVideo Clip (3:38)
Video Clip (3:38)
On February 19, 1945, American soldiers make their first strike on the Japanese Home Islands at Iwo Jima.
-
Submarine Shooter
Submarine ShooterVideo Clip (3:20)
Video Clip (3:20)
Tom Southwick's father caught amazing moments of life on a submarine on film as a naval photographer during World War II.
Photo Galleries (10)
-
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor(14 Photos)
14 Photos
View pictures of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the sinking of the USS Arizona, and the USS Arizona Memorial.
-
Axis Military Leaders
Axis Military Leaders(12 Photos)
12 Photos
View images of Axis military leaders from World War II.
-
Allied Military Leaders
Allied Military Leaders(11 Photos)
11 Photos
View photos of Allied military leaders
-
World War II Political Leaders
World War II Political Leaders(9 Photos)
9 Photos
View photos of World War II political leaders.
-
World War II Pilots and Planes
World War II Pilots and Planes(12 Photos)
12 Photos
View photos of World War II pilots and planes.
-
World War II Damage and Destruction
World War II Damage and Destruction(7 Photos)
7 Photos
View photos of the damage and destruction from World War II.
-
World War II Posters
World War II Posters(16 Photos)
16 Photos
View photos of famous posters from the World War II era.
-
World War II: Rest and Relaxation
World War II: Rest and Relaxation(10 Photos)
10 Photos
View photos of soliders from World War II
-
End of World War II
End of World War II(8 Photos)
8 Photos
View pictures from VE day and VJ day as Americans celebrate the end of World War II.
-
Women Factory Workers of World War II
Women Factory Workers of World War II(10 Photos)
10 Photos
During World War II, American women entered the workforce in unprecedented numbers. The munitions industry heavily recruited women workers, as represented by the U.S. government's "Rosie the Riveter" propaganda campaign.
Interactives (2)
-
Inside WWII
Inside WWIIInteractive
-
WWII Experience
WWII ExperienceInteractive
Most Popular Videos on History.com
-
Attack on Pearl Harbor
(1:49)
Newest Videos on History.com
-
Vietnam in HD Preview
(2:00)
-
Two For the Road
(1:48)
-
HISTORY says Thanks
(2:47)
Read More about Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, Japanese fighter planes attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.
GoShop HISTORY
-
Battle 360: The Bloody Battle of Guadalcanal DVD
Own this chronicle of the epic showdown with Japanese forces at Guadalcanal, one of the most critical battles in WWII.
$11.99
Buy Now -
The Great Escapes of WWII DVD Set
Own this breathtaking chronicle of hope, ingenuity, courage and survival.
$12.99
Buy Now -
Swamp People Troy Mask
Want the ultimate Big Head? The Swamp People Troy Mask is for Cajuns and Cajuns at heart.
$44.99
Buy Now
Email Updates
Keep up with the latest History shows, online features, special offers and more.
Sign up







