Today is the 76th anniversary of the date "which will live in infamy."
More than 2,390 Americans lost their lives on Dec. 7, 1941 when Japanese bombers launched a surprise attack on the U.S. military base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. All eight U.S. battleships stationed at Pearl Harbor during the attack were sunk, though all but two - the Arizona and the Oklahoma - later returned to active duty. In addition, nearly 20 American Navy vessels and about 300 aircraft were damaged or destroyed.
The attack - famously described by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a "date which will live in infamy" - - propelled America into World War II, a conflict which claimed the lives of some 400,000 U.S. soldiers.
"No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory" - - President Franklin D. Roosevelt, delivered Dec. 8, 1941
