History of Pearl Harbor in Timeline
Pearl Harbor is a lagoon harbor on Oahu, Hawaii, serving as a U.S. Naval base and headquarters of the Pacific Fleet. The U.S. gained exclusive use in 1887. On December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, resulting in significant casualties and damage to U.S. warships. This attack prompted the United States to declare war on Japan, marking the nation's entry into World War II. The event remains a pivotal moment in American history.
October 14, 1992: Pearl Harbor Naval Complex Added to Superfund List
On October 14, 1992, the US Environmental Protection Agency added the Pearl Harbor Naval Complex to the National Priorities List as a superfund site.
2010: Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam Creation
In 2010, Pearl Harbor Naval Base and Hickam Air Force Base merged to create Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam.
December 2016: Abe-Obama Joint Visit
In December 2016, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Barack Obama made a joint visit to Pearl Harbor on the 75th anniversary of the attack. This was the first official visit by a sitting Japanese leader.
December 4, 2019: Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard Shooting
On December 4, 2019, a US Navy sailor killed two civilian workers and wounded another, before shooting himself at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.
