History of Pearl Harbor in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 30, 2025

Pearl Harbor is a lagoon harbor on Oahu, Hawaii, that became a U.S. naval base after the Reciprocity Treaty of 1875. It serves as the headquarters of the United States Pacific Fleet. On December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. This event led the United States to declare war on Japan, thus marking the U.S.'s entry into World War II.

December 7, 1941: Surprise Attack on Pearl Harbor

On December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, which led the United States to declare war on the Empire of Japan and marked the United States' entry into World War II.

October 14, 1992: Pearl Harbor Naval Complex added to National Priorities List

On October 14, 1992, the US Environmental Protection Agency added the Pearl Harbor Naval Complex as a superfund to the National Priorities List.

2010: Pearl Harbor joined with Hickam Air Force Base

In 2010, Pearl Harbor joined with Hickam Air Force Base to create Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, after the Navy and the Air Force merged their two nearby bases.

December 2016: Joint visit to Pearl Harbor by Shinzo Abe and Barack Obama

In December 2016, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Barack Obama made a joint visit to Pearl Harbor, marking the 75th anniversary of the attack. It was the first official visit by a sitting Japanese leader.