TODAY IN AMERICAN HISTORY: Today historian Rick Britton talks about what happened 74 years ago today–the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by forces of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The attack was a military strike against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, in the United States Territory of Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941.

Japan intended the attack as a preventive action to keep the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with military actions the Empire of Japan planned in Southeast Asia against overseas territories of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the United States. There were near-simultaneous Japanese attacks on the U.S.-held Philippines, Guam, and Wake Island and on the British Empire in Malaya, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

At 7:48 a.m. Hawaiian Time Pearl Harbor was attacked by 353 Japanese fighter planes, bombers, and torpedo planes in two waves, launched from six aircraft carriers. American losses were staggering: All eight U.S. Navy battleships were damaged, with four sunk, 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed; 2,403 Americans were killed and 1,178 others were wounded. Japanese losses were light: 29 aircraft and five midget submarines lost, and 64 servicemen killed.

The attack came as a profound shock to the American people and led directly to the American entry into World War II in both the Pacific and European theaters. The following day, December 8, the United States declared war on Japan.

ADDITIONALLY: Starting next month I’ve got a 4-session OLLI lecture class entitled “Virginia in the American Revolution.” It’s a special winter program we’re calling OLLI at Michie Tavern. Participants enjoy first a morning talk about the Revolution, then Michie Tavern’s famous fried chicken. And what goes better with Virginia history than fried chicken? Here are the dates:

Jan. 21 – United in Support: Virginians in the American Revolution
Jan. 28 – The Barracks: Albemarle’s Prisoner-of-War Camp
Feb. 4 – From Cuckoo to Charlottesville: Jack Jouett’s Overnight Ride
Feb. 11 – Victory Secured: The Campaign & Siege of Yorktown

Folks can sign up online (at www.olliuva.org) or call the OLLI office at (434) 923-3600.