The attack began at 7:48 a.m. local time, when hundreds of Japanese planes descended on the base. The initial wave of attacks lasted for two hours and resulted in the destruction of or damage to more than 20 American ships, including the battleships USS Arizona and USS Oklahoma. More than 2,400 Americans were killed and over 1,000 were wounded.
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a major turning point in World War II. It united the American people behind the war effort and led to the United States' declaration of war on Japan the following day. The United States began sending troops and supplies to the Pacific theater, which culminated in the Allied victory over Japan in 1945.