Brief note: The Grinch is trying to steal Revolver this Christmas. Fortunately, we are supported by many generous Subscribers and Donors, which helps us weather any cancel culture storm. You can now easily give the gift of a Revolver ad-free Subscription. Go to the Subscribe page and check the “gift” option. Don’t be a scrooge and make it an annual subscription. Buy one for yourself and for your friends and family, and anyone who can afford to give more, don’t hesitate to make a recurring monthly donation — whether it’s $1 or $1,000, every bit helps.

—

Today marks the 81st anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The supposed “surprise” attack led to the United States’ involvement in World War II, and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s famous speech that the December 7, 1941 date would “live in infamy.”

For those interested, we recommend you peruse some of the original archival news footage from that date:

For some perspective on why Japan decided to launch the attack:

And of course, we’d be remiss to avoid acknowledging the thorny question of whether the attack on Pearl Harbor was indeed a “surprise attack” at all. Did FDR know in advance and let it happen in order to serve as a pretext to get involved in World War II?

Whatever the case, we honor the brave American heroes who perished on that infamous date in Hawaii. The remaining survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack have dwindled down to a precious centenarian few. These survivors are not only living testament to that momentous date in history, but even more so, are ephemeral reminders of a once great nation that is perhaps gasping for its final breaths.