This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-us-canada-16073654
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| 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 have led US commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the event that changed World War II's course. | |
| About 120 veterans joined military leaders at the Hawaii naval base as a moment of silence was observed at the time Japan sprung its offensive. | |
| President Barack Obama 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 was 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. | |
| Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and military leaders were also among the several thousand people at Wednesday's event. | |
| A US Navy destroyer rendered honours to the Arizona to begin the moment of silence, before F-22 jets flew overhead in "missing man" formation. | |
| Over in Washington DC, Defence Secretary Leon Panetta laid a wreath at the US Navy Memorial at midday. | 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. |
| Thousands of 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. |