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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Pearl Harbor's 70th anniversary remembered in US | Pearl Harbor's 70th anniversary remembered in US |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The Pearl Harbor attacks' few remaining survivors are to lead US commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the event that changed World War II's course. | The Pearl Harbor attacks' few remaining survivors are to lead US commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the event that changed World War II's course. |
| About 120 veterans are expected to join military leaders at the Hawaii naval base as a moment of silence is observed at the time Japan sprung its offensive. | About 120 veterans are expected to join military leaders at the Hawaii naval base as a moment of silence is observed at the time Japan sprung its offensive. |
| President Barack Obama has called for US flags to be flown at half mast on federal buildings across the country. | President Barack Obama has called for US flags to be flown at half mast on federal buildings across the country. |
| Some 2,400 Americans died in the Japanese attacks of 7 December 1941. | Some 2,400 Americans died in the Japanese attacks of 7 December 1941. |
| President Obama, who was born in Hawaii, hailed veterans of the bombing in a statement marking National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. | President Obama, who was born in Hawaii, hailed veterans of the bombing in a statement marking National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. |
| 'Greatest Generation' | 'Greatest Generation' |
| "Their tenacity helped define the Greatest Generation and their valour fortified all who served during World War II," he said. | "Their tenacity helped define the Greatest Generation and their valour fortified all who served during World War II," he said. |
| "As a nation, we look to December 7 1941 to draw strength from the example set by these patriots and to honour all who have sacrificed for our freedoms." | "As a nation, we look to December 7 1941 to draw strength from the example set by these patriots and to honour all who have sacrificed for our freedoms." |
| At 7:55 am (17:55 GMT), the moment Japanese bombers swooped on the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, a ceremony will be held by the wreck of the USS Arizona, one of 12 vessels sunk that day seven decades ago. | At 7:55 am (17:55 GMT), the moment Japanese bombers swooped on the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, a ceremony will be held by the wreck of the USS Arizona, one of 12 vessels sunk that day seven decades ago. |
| Nearly half of those killed in the attack died almost instantly on the Arizona, when a bomb detonated the giant battleship's munitions depot. | Nearly half of those killed in the attack died almost instantly on the Arizona, when a bomb detonated the giant battleship's munitions depot. |
| Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and military leaders will also be among the 3,000 people expected at Wednesday's event. | Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and military leaders will also be among the 3,000 people expected at Wednesday's event. |
| A US Navy destroyer will render honours to the Arizona to begin the moment of silence, before F-22 jets flies overhead in "missing man" formation. | A US Navy destroyer will render honours to the Arizona to begin the moment of silence, before F-22 jets flies overhead in "missing man" formation. |
| Over in Washington DC, Defence Secretary Leon Panetta laid a wreath at the US Navy Memorial at midday. | |
| The Pearl Harbor Survivors Association said it would disband after this year's landmark commemoration because so few veterans remained. | The Pearl Harbor Survivors Association said it would disband after this year's landmark commemoration because so few veterans remained. |
| About 7,000 survivors were on hand for the 50th anniversary of the attacks in 1991. | About 7,000 survivors were on hand for the 50th anniversary of the attacks in 1991. |
| As well as the dozen ships wrecked in the attack on Pearl Harbor, nine other vessels were damaged and the US lost 164 aeroplanes. Sixty-two Japanese died. | As well as the dozen ships wrecked in the attack on Pearl Harbor, nine other vessels were damaged and the US lost 164 aeroplanes. Sixty-two Japanese died. |
| Denouncing "a date which will live in infamy", President Franklin Roosevelt went to Congress for a declaration of war, which was approved within hours. | Denouncing "a date which will live in infamy", President Franklin Roosevelt went to Congress for a declaration of war, which was approved within hours. |
| Three days later, Germany declared war on the US. America's entry was to change the course of the conflict. | Three days later, Germany declared war on the US. America's entry was to change the course of the conflict. |
| It was the last assault on US soil until al-Qaeda's attacks of 11 September 2001, another surprise offensive that shocked the US into military action and transformed its strategic outlook. | It was the last assault on US soil until al-Qaeda's attacks of 11 September 2001, another surprise offensive that shocked the US into military action and transformed its strategic outlook. |