Photos From Pearl Harbor Mark 'A Day That Will Live In Infamy' - Share Your Own Photos And Memories

Early on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, a total of 353 Japanese aircraft, as well as midget submarines, launched an attack on the U.S. Naval fleet that was stationed in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, then a territory of the United States. The purpose of the attack was to cripple the American fleet and prevent the Empire of Japan's expantion into Southeast Asia. It was also intended to damage American morale to prevent entry into a Pacific war. At that point, many if not most Americans were against getting involved in the wars raging in Europe and the Pacific. 

However, the Pearl Harbor attack caused American war resistance to evaporate overnight. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in announcing the attack to a shocked America, called Dec. 7 "a day that will live in infamy." America declared war on Japan the next day, and on Dec. 11, war was declared on Germany and Italy as well. 

The attack had its intended effect, at least initially. Eight U.S. battleships were damaged, though only two were permanently disabled. 2,402 Americans were killed, and over 1,000 more were injured in the attack. Japanese casualties were light - 29 aircraft and 65 soldiers were lost. 

Today, Pearl Harbor stands as a tribute to the attack and a memorial for the brave men and women who lost their lives their that day. 

Were you alive that day, or know someone who was? What are your memories of Dec. 7, 1941?