December 7, 2016, marked the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor prompted the American entrance into World War II. This surprise attack on a U.S. territory ignited the patriotism of Americans at home. The National Home Front Project has recorded the memories of children and adults as they think back to how they heard about the attack on Pearl Harbor, how they felt about and reacted to the news, and how it impacted their lives and their communities. Stories include a teenager witnessing the chaos at Pearl Harbor during the attack, a young girl losing her Japanese classmates in California, and a child’s view of her mother coping with the change of roles when father left for the service.
Click on the photos below to read and hear their stories through audio clips and transcripts. Check back as we continue adding more from our collection of nearly 300 oral history interviews. Please help us ensure stories are preserved by contacting us if you, a family member, or friend have stories to share.
