Attack surprised America and changed every American

Friday's annual memorial rite will focus on the transformation of civilians as well as sailors

By William Cole

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Dec 03, 2012

~~<p>Life in Honolulu wasn't exactly carefree on Dec. 6, 1941, but it was all sunshine and tropical breezes compared with the bombs, bullets and torpedoes that fell the next day.</p>
<p>The world war that engulfed Europe was tugging at a reluctant United States. Because of concerns over Japan's aggressions, the U.S. Pacific Fleet was moved from California to Pearl Harbor in the spring of 1940, and a military buildup was under way.</p>
~~

Life in Honolulu wasn't exactly carefree on Dec. 6, 1941, but it was all sunshine and tropical breezes compared with the bombs, bullets and torpedoes that fell the next day.

The world war that engulfed Europe was tugging at a reluctant United States. Because of concerns over Japan's aggressions, the U.S. Pacific Fleet was moved from California to Pearl Harbor in the spring of 1940, and a military buildup was under way. Login for more...