Summary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor 7:55 AM on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a wave of Japanese bombers struck the United States fleet at Pearl Harbor, theamerican naval base in Hawaii. The United States navy was taken totally by surprise.American military leaders had been warned of a possible Japenese attack,but theyexpected it in southeast Asia, not Pearl Harbor. Thus, no special precautions had been taken, and most of the fleet was caught at anchor. Of …showed first 75 words of 238 total…

…showed last 75 words of 238 total…day which will live in infamy." Roosevelt asked congress to declare a state of war between the United States and Japan. Within hours, Congress approved a decloration of war, with only one negative vote. Three days later, Japan's european allies, Germany and Italy, declared war on the United States. Congress immediately passed a declaration of war against the two european powers. For the second time in less than 25 years, the United States was at war.