[Hoodat]

Of course I remember when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor.

[rfreedom4u]

I always look through my kids` history books and point out the errors. Like the current world history book that never even mentions William the Conqueror.

[Sir_Humphrey]

On a related note, the posts by "Homer B Simpson" each morning have been more enlightening that all my history profs combined. (From many years ago)

for anyone unfamiliar, this gentleman has been posting microfiche from the front section of the NYT starting with Sept 1, 1939. He has been posting it everyday since 9-1-09 and it shows the paper for the date 70 years ago.

Homer, whoever you are, thanks. My morning starts with a cup o Jo and reading your posts.

[Snickering Hound]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niihau_Incident

Then there is the little remembered “incident” where a Japanese pilot parachuted from his crippled fighter on Niihau island after the attack and inspired the local Japanese into revolt. One of the events leading to the internment of the Japanese in WWII.

[CrazyIvan]

On 9/11 I worked for a school system as transportation director. We dismissed early so I met with the superintendent (a worthless thieving liberal) to coordinate the bus schedule. When we parted I told him that whoever had attacked us might find out, like Yamamato, that all that they had done was to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve. I later learned that he was mocking me because he thought that I had referred to a Japanese cartoon character.

[Fledermaus]

"How can schools teach about the Constitution or the industrial revolution in America when they’re so busy doing penance for the slave trade, Wounded Knee, the Trail of Tears, the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II and Jim Crow?"

Except for maybe Wounded Knee, everything else just listed by the author was caused by Democrats.

[dfwgator]

Now the only thing they teach about WWII is Dresden and Hiroshima.

[Fiji Hill]

In 1958, the Eisenhower administration designated December 7 as Civil Defense Day, with the intention of making Americans more aware and appreciative of our passive defenses. Events on the day included displays of civil defense equipment, “open house” at fallout shelters, etc. I even have a recording of an advertisement for Civil Defense Day from 1960.

It seems that Civil Defense Day was allowed to die after JFK became president—perhaps it was seen as too provocative toward the Soviet Union.

[dalereed]

I remenber it like it was yesterday, I was listeneing to the radio when they announced it and I ran into the kitchen and told my mother that the japs just bombed Hawaii!!!

[Cloverfarm]

My uncle had joined the Navy days before Pearl Harbor. In an essay he wrote a few years ago he recalled six weeks of basic training crammed into one because they had to get manpower into the war.

His ship, the USS Colorado, sailed from Bremmerton, WAshington. “After about two days, I noticed the weather getting hotter and the sea was getting smoother and its color changing to a deeper blue. Some of the older sailors said it looked like we were headed to Hawaii ...”

When they reached Hawaii, “We steamed into a navy shipyard and saw the damage the Japanese had done. We picked up a harbor pilot and followed a motor launch. Every once in awhile the launch would stop and pull something into the launch. It was a sailor coming to the surface. We were seeing the results of war and our possible fate for the first time.”

“We sailed up the channel past destroyed buildings which were still smoking, past destroyed airplanes and then we came to battleship row. Past teh USS Maryland, USS Nevada, and other ships still smoking with large gaping holes. There was so much damage it is hard to describe ...” (by Giles Phelps, 1923-1998)

He was just 18 at the time and had dropped out of school to join the Navy. He had always dreamed of going to sea. I don’t think going to war was part of his dream, but like so many others, did his duty as best he could.