O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appears. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Today Christians celebrate the fourth and final Sunday in Advent. The liturgy will often include Old Testament readings from Micah (5:1-4) or Isaiah (7:10) that contain the prophecies about how God will send Jesus to come among the people and stop the enemies that are plaguing his people. A second reading, such as from Hebrews (10:5-10), will be used to show how Jesus came to fulfill God’s will and defeating the enemy that separates us from him. Finally, the Gospel, often from Luke about Mary visiting Elizabeth, will be read to show a parallel to the Ark of the Covenant. As the Ark contained the Ten Commandments-the word of God-Mary contains the son of God in her body. Elizabeth exclaims she is full of grace for the child she bears-the future John the Baptist-jumped with joy inside her when she greeted Mary.
The final days of Advent are thus to prepare for the great celebration of Christmas. Christians are asked to not only reflect on this great day of joy to come, but to also find Jesus in a very real way during this time. Perhaps it will come from service to others, donating food for families in need, or spending time with those who have no one close to be with during this time of year.
Journey to Bethlehem Altus Fine Arts via Pinterest
Suggested Reading
Santa, Thomas M. The Essential Advent and Christmas Handbook: A Daily Companion, 2000.
The Winter Solstice occurs usually between December 20-23 with the sun directly overhead the Tropic of Capricorn. This results in the North Pile being tilted the furthest away making it the shortest day of the year followed by the longest night. The further north you live during winter means less daylight during the winter. Some areas in Alaska or Scandinavia can be nearly dark or near dark during this period. By contrast, those in the Southern Hemisphere celebrate the Summer Solstice, as it marks the beginning of summer. Which is why while people shiver in Philadelphia and New York for Christmas but down in Australia, Christmas is celebrated outdoors with a barbeque.
Solstices and Equinoxes Image: NASA
Many cultures observed the Winter Solstice as it marked an important time in the agricultural cycle. By this time all crops and livestock had been prepared for winter. Important foodstuffs were stored for the months when virtually nothing grew. Wine and beer, which had been fermenting during the year, was ready. Cattle and pigs would often be killed at the start of winter so they would not have to be fed during this time. The early months of winter were tough in many places and often called the “famine months” since little food was to be found. Many cultures observed the Winter Solstice as a renewal or that the year was reborn. For out of the seeming withdrawal of the sun, it would come back just as strong and powerful as before. Thus, the Winter Solstice was seen by many as the start of a new year such as the old Roman Feast of the Unconquered Sun (Sol Invictus) which happened around the 25th of December.
Christmas Pudding being flamed with brandy. Served as last course of Christmas dinner in England. Image: Kolforn via Wikimedia
If you have ever read A Christmas Carol (or seen many of its filmed adaptations), then you have heard about this traditional Christmas desert. While called today Christmas Pudding, it has been known as Plum Pudding or its earlier incarnation Figgy Pudding. All three are essentially the same though variations do exist. At one time spices and fruits were often exotic and expensive, so this pudding was a way of serving them. Like fruitcake, you baked these weeks before you would actually eat. Traditionally a Christmas Pudding was baked five weeks before Christmas. This allowed the pudding to mature its flavor and would regularly be soaked with brandy. Thus, by Christmas day it would be very flavorful.
The original figgy pudding though was quite different than its counterparts that came later. Back in the 14th century it was a porridge that had boiled figs, water, wine, almonds, honey, and raisins. This is what is referred to in the song “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” when the carolers would gather outside wealthy people’s homes and ask for this pudding (since it contained exotic ingredients). Another incarnation of this later would include meat as well. A further evolution of it turned it into a round cake made with raisins and steamed. The name Plum Pudding is misleading to us today. A very long time ago plum referred to any dried fruit that was used and usually this pudding contained raisins (and no plums). By the Victorian era that name was dropped, and it became the Christmas Pudding. However, the older names still are spoken in different places in the UK (and even here in the US), so those old names are still floating around.
When you prepared it five weeks ahead of Christmas, often whole families would be involved (which is why the term Stir Up Sunday was coined as the day it was made). Often a six pence coin would be added so that whoever got it would get good luck for the year. Then when all done, wrapped up and stored in a cool pantry (often the basement) until it was needed. In olden days (certainly the time in which Mrs. Cratchit was cooking it), it would take up to four hours or longer to steam the pudding. Since suet was used, the longer cooking time was needed to make it soft. Suet was used since it provided both moisture and sweetness, but over time it would be replaced as more fruit and sugar were available. Mrs. Cratchit was living in the time when this change was occurring but considering that they lived modestly, she probably used suet as it might have been easier to obtain rather than more fruits and sugar. By 1845 certainly the change was done as cookbooks show it without suet.
Since the British had colonies all over the world, Christmas pudding would be exported to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa. In the U.S. it was known in the earlier pre-Independence days and was popular later with British and Irish that immigrated here. It would morph ultimately into bread pudding that used stale bread, spices, fruits, suet, raisins, and brandy. Many variations exist today though suet has been dropped in most of them.
Today can purchase ready-made Christmas puddings avoiding having to make it yourself. All you have to do is steam for an hour and it is ready to go. Traditionally you would top the pudding with a sprig of holly representing the crown of thorns Jesus wore. And after you douse it with some alcohol and then light it up, this signifies his passion. Now if you make it yourself, you can steam it for a long time to get it really dark as that makes both very tasty and looks like the pictures of it from long ago. Also topping it some brandy butter makes it even more delicious. While you can purchase them online or in specialty stores, you can easily make it yourself. Check out one recipe here. Making your own brandy butter is very easily and you control how much brandy and sweetness you put into it.
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Marley’s Ghost. Image from 1843 edition of A Christmas Carol, illustrated by John Leech Source: British Library via Wikimedia Commons Public Domain
On 19 Dec 1843 noted writer Charles Dickens novella A Christmas Carol was published by Chapman & Hall. The book came at a time when Christmas was fading but at the same time people were rediscovering Christmas traditions and exploring new ones (such as Christmas cards and Christmas trees). The story relates how Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly man, who receives the ghost of his dead partner along with Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. The visitations changed Scrooge into a warmer, forgiving man and the book sold out all its initial copies on Christmas Eve.
The story has become a favorite at Christmas time owing to its theme of transformation. While some academics argue about whether his story was secular or a religious allegory, the story alludes to a higher power at work to help Scrooge reflect on his life and to make changes. Scrooge shows everything wrong about the age-of acquiring money for its own sake and nothing else. He showed no empathy nor compassion for the plights of his fellow men and women wanting only to increase his wealth at the expense of others. One can be lulled into thinking though that Scrooge is just a two-dimensional character at first. As the story progresses, we learn of his early years, his being at school alone, of his lovely sister who brings him home, and the joy of working with old Fezziwig. And then he changes, slowly but steadily into the man we see at the beginning and losing the woman who loved him in the process. And we see as he reflects back upon his past, he starts regretting ill-treating his nephew and his clerk Bob Cratchit.
The story is of redemption, but not done in the modern syrupy way you see now in terribly done holiday movies of today. There are hard truths that Scrooge has to face about himself, and his choice is simple: continue as he is now and face a terrible fate or change to becoming more caring and joyful in his life. We also get to see the joy of Christmas being celebrated both in the Cratchit house and later with his nephew Fred. Despite not having a lot of money, the Cratchit’s have a wonderful holiday together. Christmas is depicted as a time for families, children, and to care about our fellow brothers and sisters. Dickens wanted to relate in his book that poverty was no small thing and that we needed to help those in need rather than ignoring them (especially children).
Christmas, like much of the world in Dickens time, was undergoing a major change. The observance of the Nativity of Christ was important to the faithful. Yet while it was a time of celebration, it was a simpler celebration. The religious part took place in church while food and drink were at home. Some took the partying to excess causing social problems. General George Washington famously crossed the Delaware River on Christmas Day in 1776 knowing that after a day of partying the German soldiers would be unable to fight. The Reformation had wiped out Christmas traditions in many places, and the Puritans had banned its celebration in England and later in the areas they settled in North America. It was not a public holiday in the United States (except in states that made it a holiday) or much of Europe.
The social changes brought by the dramatic shift from agrarian to industrial society made people want to look for a deeper meaning to things. And Christmas was ripe to be revitalized after being so low-key or ignored for a long time, or a time for wild partying. Dicken’s depiction of the day was family, church, mistletoe and holly, charity, and food. After the book came out, more traditions would be created from Christmas carols, St. Nicholas, Christmas cards and trees. And as many people wanted to celebrate the day with family, it became eventually a national holiday in just about every country in Europe, North and South America, and parts of the far east (Russia mostly). And reading A Christmas Carol has become a Christmas tradition as well. Dicken’s was at the cusp of change when it came to Christmas. He wrote great books before and after this one, but many remember him chiefly for the story of redemption of Ebenezer Scrooge.
Adaptations
There are many adaptations that have been made from plays to movies. Here is a list of those you might want to watch. Almost all the movies change the story in varying ways but try to keep faithful to the overall story.
Scrooge (1913)
One of the early silent movies starring Seymour Hicks. It is one of the few that shows Bob Cratchit sitting by the body of Tiny Tim.
A Christmas Carol (1938)
This version stars Reginald Owen who plays Scrooge well. The story cuts out a lot of the sadder parts of the story and alters the story in other ways (Cratchit is fired early in the movie). Still a good movie to watch for the excellent acting.
Scrooge (1951), re-titled A Christmas Carol
This one starring Alistair Sim is considered by many to be the best. Sim really nails Scrooge, and it is closer to the original in some ways. Shows a bit of his life not covered in the book or other movies to show how became so mean and miserly.
A Christmas Carol (1984)
This version stars George C. Scott as Scrooge. This was a made for television unlike the others above. It was filmed on location in the historic town of Shrewsbury in Shropshire, England lending it an authentic look. Scott’s depiction is not as harsh in tone as Alistair Sim’s depiction, but just as ruthless and unbending in his ways. It has a good cast as well with David Warner playing Bob Cratchit. It has become a favorite and seen on Hallmark and AMC channels during Christmas. Scott’s portrayal got him a nomination for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Special. The combination of a great supporting cast and Scott’s performance as Scrooge makes this adaptation better than Alistair Sim’s version.
A Christmas Carol (1999)
A version based on Patrick Stewart’s one man play, but with a full supporting cast, it was inspired by the Sim movie and shows a lot of the grimness of the story. Stewart’s depiction of Scrooge is even more harsh than what Sim or Scott did. Solidly acted but one may be put off by the harsh and grim version of this Scrooge.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
This musical starring Michael Caine and all the Muppet favorites is funny and amusing at times. It is heartwarming and enjoyable on its own terms. Michael Caine delivers a great performance as Scrooge. It is mainly directed at kids, so they will enjoy it best. Adults may find it tedious at times, but the payoffs are the wonderful musical numbers and how the Muppet characters interact during the story. Especially when the Ghost of Christmas Future appears. It sends our narrator running for cover until the scene is over.
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[This has been updated from 2023 with new description of the day and new source material]
The first two Sundays of Advent are times of penance and reflection. On the third Sunday, it is time to remember both the joy to come with the birth of Jesus and his return. The third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday or Rejoice Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word for Rejoice so is commonly called that on traditional Christian liturgical calendars. The third Sunday is the joyful midpoint on our way towards Christmas, so we spend time reflecting on joy and hope.
Back in the Middle Ages, church leaders realized that if you have an entire season of repentance, you need to also celebrate joy and hope. Without that, its whole purpose would be lost. So on Gaudete Sunday we take time to step back from the somber nature of the season and celebrate the joy and hope that is to come. Rather than the somber purple of penance, the liturgical color is rose or pink (priests or ministers can wear either one). And the advent candle for this day is one of those colors as well. Since we are lighting this candle on Gaudete Sunday, it is the candle of joy.
The scripture readings will also reflect this as well. Often St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians is read in particular verses 4:4-7:
“Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
On this particular Sunday, you will see more joyful decorations in church with emphasis on joy. Colorful flowers, decorations, and banners may be displayed. Music will be joyful as well along with special prayers offered during the service. Families are encouraged to get together for a special meal on this Gaudete Sunday (often a brunch).
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Telegraph Connections (Telegraphen Verbindungen), 1891 Stielers Hand-Atlas, Plate No. 5, Weltkarte in Mercator projection Public Domain (Wikipedia)
In 1901, you could send important messages by telegraph provided there was line connection going point to point. The telegraph opened up a whole new era of communication getting important messages delivered quickly. Once hooked up, you did not have to wait for a ship or train to arrive bearing a letter. Steam powered ships made shipping much faster (days or weeks instead of years), but the telegraph connected places faster. The only snag was you needed either an underwater cable or a connection of telegraph poles to connect.
Guglielmo Marconi (1874-1937) was not the first one to come up with the idea of wireless telegraphy but was the first to succeed. He studied physics and became aware of the experiments of the German physicist Heinrich Hertz. Experimenting n 1894, Marconi was able to send radio signal up 1.5 miles. However, his experiments received little support in Italy, so he went to England in 1896. Forming a wireless telegraph company, he was able to send wireless transmissions further than 10 miles. He successfully sent a transmission across the English Channel in 1899. He also used two ships to report to New York newspapers on the America’s Cup yacht race using his wireless telegraph. That sparked a lot of interest about what he was doing.
Guglielmo Marconi (1909) United States Library of Congress, digital ID cph.3a40043 Public Domain (U.S.) via Wikimedia Commons
On 12 December 1901, Marconi successfully transmitted the first transcontinental transmission from England to St. John’s Newfoundland. Many doubted this could be done due to the curvature of the earth, but Marconi believed otherwise. What scientists later determined was that the radio signal headed up to space and reflected off the ionosphere back down to Canada. Much would still have to be learned, but Marconi’s development of the wireless telegraph led to more radio discoveries down the road. It also meant ships at sea could receive messages sent to them via the wireless telegraph. Marconi’s company would soon market that to shipping companies as well (rivals would also as well). The radio would follow from this as well by the 1920’s with companies set up to deliver news, music and other information to the public who purchased radios in the home. Before the advent of television, people would gather around the radio for news and entertainment. And to listen to great play-by-play action of their favorite baseball team.
Photo: Public Domain (Library and Archives Canada / PA-122236)
Marconi jointly received the Nobel Prize in physics with Ferdinand Braun, the German radio innovator. Marconi would continue to work on experimenting with shorter and more powerful radio waves. He died in 1937 and the BBC observed a two-minute moment of science for the man that was responsible for making what they do over the air possible.
Saint Lucy (Saint Lucia, Lucia of Syracuse) was a Christian martyr who died in 304 AD. She is venerated in the Anglican, Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. Since her feast day used to coincide with the Winter Solstice (on the old Julian calendar), her day is celebrated as a festival of light in many places. She is the patron saint of blind and eye disorders.
While there are many stories and legends about her, few of them are true. However, the story about being executed as a Christian by a disappointed suitor appears to be accurate. She lived in Syracuse in Sicily in 304 under a time of Christian persecution under the Emperor Diocletian. Her mother had hoped to marry her to a pagan. Lucy prayed to God for guidance and learned that her mother’s illness would be cured by faith. She told her mother and eventually convinced her. And she asked her mother to donate the money for her dowry and commit herself to God. Her suitor was not happy with this outcome, denounced her as a Christian, and was later executed by Roman soldiers.
The story of her martyrdom spread out into the Christian world and by the sixth century was appearing in a procession of virgins in Ravenna. Her fame spread to England and her festival was very popular up until King Henry VIII dissolved the Catholic Church. Her feast day in England was treated as a holy day. Her feast day is celebrated in Italy and Scandinavia. Her feast day in Scandinavian countries is celebrated as a festival of light during the long winter night. A young girl in a white dress and red sash carries palms and wears a wreath of candles on her head. Special rolls or cookies are made for the day and often handed out to the elderly. It is also celebrated in parts of Italy particularly in Sicily and in many places of the of the world today. There are many churches dedicated to her and the island of Santa Lucia in the Caribbean is named for her.
[This has been updated for 2024 with a rewrite and better source citations.]
Sources
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Saint Lucy | History, Patron Saint, Eyes, & Feast Day,” Encyclopedia Britannica, last modified July 20, 1998, http://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Lucy.
Harland & Wolff David and Goliath crane in Belfast, 2006 Plastic Jesus (Dave) via Wikimedia Commons
It is being reported that a deal to purchase Titanic shipbuilder Harland & Wolff has gotten approval by the British cabinet. Spanish government owned Navantia will acquire the company and its four UK shipyards keeping about 1,000 British jobs in the process. While the final details have yet to be worked out, a general outline has been agreed to. Also, a UK Royal Navy contract for three Fleet Solid Support vessels will be renegotiated.
A deal could be reached later this week and announced before Christmas.
2nd Advent Sunday Photo: Clemens PFEIFFER, Vienna (Wikimedia Commons)
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appears.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Advent finds its roots not in Christmas but in the observance of the Epiphany where Jesus is baptized. In France during the early centuries there was a time of preparation for this feast, which included fasting and prayer. Initially this was for three weeks and extended to forty to imitate the Lent season. Since this started on November 11 and on the feast of St. Martin, it became known as St. Martin’s Lent. This became codified by the Council of Saragossa in 330 AD requiring a time of fasting and prayer before the Epiphany, Then, in 581 the Council of Macon extended this to all the dioceses in France. This would spread to England where this custom was observed as well.
Back in Rome though the feast of the Epiphany was not celebrated but Christmas was. There was no special preparatory period for it either but there was concern there should be one for Christmas. Pope Gregory 1 (590-604) created the Advent Season by composing prayers, antiphons, and psalms to be used. This became known as the Roman Rite of Advent that lasted four weeks. When France adopted this, it added an emphasis be made to the second coming of Jesus. This eventually got back to Rome, which added it to the Advent themes. This became the Advent Liturgical season that we know today.
This is why the first two weeks have scripture readings focusing on the return of Jesus, while the last two weeks are concerned with the birth. Both themes are connected, and the emphasis is on people to “be prepared.” It is this dynamic that makes Advent an important part of the Christian calendar and why it is the beginning of the liturgical year. Advent is the starting point which flows to all the feasts and important holy days to come and ends on the very last Sunday before Advent celebrating Christ the King. Advent is a spiritual journey that prepares both for the birth of the savior but also his return. That is why the readings of the prophet Isaiah are featured during Advent as he speaks often of Israel’s salvation. Music played for Advent such as “Come, O Come, Emmanuel (based on the 9th century Veni, Veni Emmanuel) match this preparation period.
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[This has been updated from 2023 with corrections in punctuation and grammar. Sources have been updated and a list of suggested media to read or view has been added.]
Title: We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain… remember Dec. 7th! Creator/Contributor: Saalburg, Allen Russell, 1899-1987 (artist); United States. Office of War Information (sponsor) Created/Published: U. S. Government Printing Office, 1942 Public Domain as was produced by the U.S. Government Photo on Wikimedia Commons uploaded by Boston Public Library
On this date in 1941, Japan launched a carrier-based strike on U.S. military forces based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Their strategy was to use this attack to convince the country and its leaders that war with Japan would be futile. They achieved tactical surprise as no warning of an attack had yet been received. While decryption of their codes had revealed their intent, the warning did not reach Pearl Harbor until after the attack had begun. The Japanese legation in Washington did not deliver their government’s official response to a recent diplomatic exchange until after the attack due to problems in transcribing the message. The attack began at 07:55 local time (12:55 p.m. eastern standard time). It was early afternoon when President Roosevelt was notified by Secretary of War Henry Stimson of the attack. There was some doubt among some staff as to the validity of the report, but President Roosevelt believed it. And subsequent reports would show it was true. Radio was soon reporting on it as well and the entire nation soon learned of the shocking event that had taken place in the faraway location.
The purpose of the attack was to seriously cripple the U.S. naval and air operations (both the Navy and Army Air Corps). The surprise was effective and sank or crippled numerous American ships. However, the jewel of the fleet were the aircraft carriers, and they were not there. And the Japanese had no idea where they were. After conducting the first two strikes, a third strike was considered to more completely wipe out the storage, maintenance and dry dock facilities. Captain Minoru Genda, who helped in the planning, argued for invasion to maximize American losses. Admiral Nagumo decided to retire because of deteriorating weather, the unknown location of the American carriers, the long turnaround time required for a third strike that would allow American forces to gather and counterattack, and the fact the Nagumo’s strike force was at the extreme limit of logistical support. They were low on fuel and another strike would require them to travel at reduced speeds to conserve fuel. So, he headed home. Much later Admiral Yamamoto, who supported the decision at the time, would in retrospect say it was a mistake since it allowed the U.S. to come back quickly.
The USS Arizona (BB-39) burning after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941 Image: Public Domain (National Archives and Records Administration,ARC Identifier#195617)
Most of those who died at Pearl were sailors aboard the ships that were damaged or sunk. Of the 2,008 sailors killed, 1,177 were killed when the forward magazine on the USS Arizona exploded. Eighteen ships were sunk, beached, or run aground. 188 aircraft (mostly Army Air Corps) destroyed, 159 damaged. Most of the planes were destroyed on the ground. Only eight pilots got airborne and did attack Japanese aircraft but only one was shot down. Some pilots were killed or shot down later by friendly fire. Five inbound planes from USS Enterprise were shot down. The Navy lost 24 of its PBY planes. Additional casualties came from when Japanese attacked barracks. 2,403 Americans killed and 1,178 others were wounded. Since the U.S. was not at war, they are all classified as non-combatants. The Japanese lost 55 airmen, nine submariners and one captured. They lost 29 planes in battle and 74 were damaged by antiaircraft fire.
Most Americans were enjoying a pleasant Sunday. Secretary of State Cordell Hull met with the Japanese ambassador around 2:30 p.m., just when the first reports were coming in about the attack. Popular Sunday afternoon radio shows were interrupted with the stunning news about the attack on Pearl Harbor. From coast to coast, Americans were riveted to their radios listening to the latest updates. Lines of volunteers began forming outside military recruitment centers. The isolationist sentiment was ushered to the rear while most of the nation united against the Japanese. On 8 November before a joint session of Congress, President Roosevelt asked for a declaration of war.
“Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives:
Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.
The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.
Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.
Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.
Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.
Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.
And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.
Japan has therefore undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, that always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us.
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.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph. So help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.”
And an hour later Congress officially declared war on Japan. Far from causing the U.S. to cower, it brought Americans together like never before. Hitler’s decision to join with Japan on 11 Dec was somewhat of a surprise-to his German High Command! They had not planned with war with the United States so soon and now they faced a two-front war with an highly industrialized power against them. Mussolini foolishly committed Italy to the war with the U.S. as well.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt Signing Declaration of War Against Japan 8 Dec 1941 National Archives and Records Administration
For Japan they had control of the Pacific until June 1942. That is when the U.S. Navy engaged the Japanese at the Battle of Midway. At the end of the battle, four Japanese aircraft carriers were sunk to our one (the Yorktown). It was a shocking loss to the Japanese (and one they kept secret for as long as possible). The Doolittle Raid had convinced them to take on the American Navy directly. They did and lost spectacularly. And it shifted the balance of power in the Pacific. Admiral Yamamoto had been correct in his assessment of how the war with America would go: “I shall run wild considerably for the first six months or a year, but I have utterly no confidence for the second and third years.”
Yamamoto would not survive the war. President Roosevelt ordered that he be taken care of for his part in planning the Pearl Harbor attack. Thanks to the work of U.S. Naval Intelligence that had broken Japanese codes (code named Magic), his travel plans to the South Pacific in April 1943 were learned. Orders were given and select pilots were used to target a very important high officer but were not told who it was. On 18 April 1943, a squadron of Lockheed P-38’s was assigned to intercept and bring down his transport being escorted by Japanese zeroes. There were two Japanese transports. After a dogfight with the Zeroes and transports, the transport with Yamamoto’s plane crashed into the jungle north of Buin, Papua New Guinea. Japanese search parties found his body, thrown from the aircraft and under a tree. He had two .50 caliber bullet wounds, one in his left shoulder and the other that had exited through his right eye. The true manner of his death was hidden from the Japanese public and not revealed until long after the war had ended. He was cremated, given a state funeral, and given posthumous titles and awards. Today the place where his plane crashed is a tourist attraction.
“USS Arizona BB-39 – USSARIZONA.ORG – Official Homepage of Battleship USS Arizona (BB-39) & Pearl Harbor Memorial Website Since 1999,” https://www.ussarizona.org/.
Dec. 7th, 1941: Pearl Harbor Old Historic Films USS Arizona Before and After. DVD. Campbell Films, 1941. This has 5 separate films in the collection. One is from Japan telling its citizens of the great victory. Another is a War Department film about the attack. There is an episode from Victory At Sea included, newsreels, and a film about USS Arizona. A must have for the serious enthusiast!
Tora! Tora! Tora! DVD. Williams-Fleischer Productions, Toei Company, 2006. This 1970 movie covers it from both the Japanese and American perspectives and is historically accurate. This provides an even handed look at both sides without a lot of drama (which was criticized) but the recreation of the attack is considered on the best done. Later movies rely on many of the action scenes from this movie. It takes the documentaries and brings them alive with a real cast and sees how this attack was planned, staged, and executed.
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