December 7, 1991, the day that changed the lives of the American people. This event was the first day that American soil was attacked. The first day Americans realized that their home front was not truly safe from the outside world. This was the day that Pearl Harbor Naval Base was attacked. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay “When a clear dawn broke over Oahu's eastern horizon on December 7, 1941, there was little indication that anything other than a pleasant tropical morning would greet the enlisted men of Naval Air Station Pearl Harbor on Ford Island” . The men were out and about enjoying their Sunday. Those who worked were just lounging around, just killing time. Most of the base's planes were on the ground, with no reason for them to be in the air , but the Japanese didn't care. In 1941 the Japanese had a struggling economy. They were heavily dependent on imports for their goods due to a lack of natural resources. In recent years they had begun to expand their territory in an attempt to expand resources natural resources they had at home.After conquering parts of China and Indochina, they were ready to attack the Philippines and the countries of Southeast Asia.The only problem was that these areas were protected by the American Pacific Fleet. “North of Hawaii, all was not well. A formation of 183 Japanese aircraft led by Commander Fuchida Mitsuo had entered Hawaiian airspace and deployed for attacks against U.S. Pacific Fleet warships moored at Ford Island.” Japanese planes were targeting aircraft and warships of the American Pacific Fleet. With the American Pacific Fleet immobilized, Japan would have little resistance to conquering the Philippines and the countries of Southeast Asia. With the natural resources acquired in these lands, they would be one step closer to prosperity. After the bombing, Pearl Harbor was in complete ruins. The beautiful Sunday that the locals were enjoying was over. 2,400 people died that day at Pearl Harbor. Of these 2,400 casualties, 1,777 died on the USS Arizona. The USS Arizona was an American battleship that sank in just 9 minutes after taking a direct hit from a Japanese bomber. The men and women on that ship didn't know who or what was attacking them before they died. Before they even had time to react, the ship was at the bottom of the harbor, with them on board. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay “One day there will be the last survivor and therefore the last to be remembered”. The bombing of Pearl Harbor occurred almost 78 years ago. As time passes the memory of that day must not be forgotten. The 7 December 1941 must be remembered for all those who were lost that day. For all those whose lives changed that day. Sometimes, to save the lives of thousands of people, you just have to look back at history and see the flaws of humanity.