Remembering Pearl Harbor

December 6, 1941 was a Saturday, and Americans were doing their usual activities. Some were listening to the radio - game shows, children's programs, farm reports. Others had been at the movies - Barbara Stanwyck's new film Ball of Fire was playing, as were numerous westerns. This was an innocent era, when songs like “You Are My Sunshine” or the soundtrack from Disney's Dumbo were the big hits of the day. The events of the next morning changed the country and that innocence.

The bombing of the Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii by Japan resulted in more than 2,400 American deaths and left more than 1,100 wounded. The day after the attack, the United States declared war on Japan and entered World War II. Not only were soldiers sent overseas, but every American at home was called upon to join the war effort - and join they did!

Housewives were asked to save their bacon grease and other fats - which Girl Scouts collected from each home - to create explosives. Besides grease drives, there were rubber drives, scrap drives, paper drives and metal drives. Americans were urged to “Do with less - so they'll have enough”, meaning U.S. troops. Meat, sugar, fat, butter, vegetables, fruit, gas, tires, clothing and fuel oil were all rationed. Americans also purchased approximately $185 billion in war bonds to support the fighting effort.

December 7 is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Take a moment to remember the fallen from that day, and the sacrifices so many ordinary Americans made to help win the war.