Seventieth Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Today

Seventy years ago today, the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan launched the United States into World War II.

If you fly a flag at your home or business, it should be at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Pearl Harbor Day. If you cannot fly your flag at half-staff, the says that a black ribbon or streamer -- about the same width as the stripes on your flag -- above the flag is an acceptable alternative.

Some figures from that terrible day:

• 2 hours, 20 minutes is how long the Japanese attacked.
• 2,390 American military personnel were killed.
• 49 civilians were killed.
• 1,177 of those killed were on the USS Arizona.
• 1,178 American military personnel were wounded.
• 164 American aircraft were destroyed.
• 12 American ships were sunk or beached.

In his address to Congress requesting a declaration of war against Japan, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, called Dec. 7, 1941, "a date which will live in infamy."

"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," Roosevelt said.

It took almost four years before that total victory in 1945. More than 16 million Americans served in World War II. Only 2 million are alive today.

Do you have a relative who served in World War II? Share your memories and pictures of them, or invite them to share their photos and memories of the war, here. And thank them for all of us.