Scott Rasmussen's Number of the Day for December 7, 2018
The Number of the Day columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author.
December 7, 2018: Seventy-seven years ago today, Japanese forces launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor. The attack killed 2,403 soldiers, sailors, and civilians while destroying eight battleships and nearly a dozen other naval vessels. Over 1,100 died on the USS Arizona alone.[1]
Japan launched the attack because it dreamed of taking over the South Pacific. They had hoped to destroy the Pacific Fleet and prevent the United States from fighting back.
But, for all the harm they caused, the Japanese did not accomplish their goal. All but two of the damaged battleships were eventually repaired and returned to service. Even more important, all of the Pacific Fleet aircraft carriers were away from Pearl Harbor on the day of the attack. They were ready to engage in battle immediately. Aircraft carriers were the most important and powerful naval vessels of that era.
Instead of destroying the Pacific Fleet, the attack on Pearl Harbor drew the United States into World War II. It took four years, but the U.S. engagement eventually led to the defeat and occupation of Japan.
Each weekday, Scott Rasmussen’s Number of the Day explores interesting and newsworthy topics at the intersection of culture, politics, and technology.
- December 6, 2018 – 100,375 dollars is the median annual cost for a private room in a nursing home
- December 5, 2018 – 89% of U.S. homes have air conditioning
- December 4, 2018 – 62 percent of voters nationwide believe that legal immigration is good for U.S. but illegal immigration is bad
- December 3, 2018 – 8 days of Hanukkah began last night
- November 30, 2018 – 3 years, 108 days to read all federal regulations
- To see other recent numbers, check out the archive.
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Columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author.
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