The Similarities Between 9-11 And Pearl Harbor

9:11 is it a date that will live in infamy?

This paper will discuss the similarities between 9:11 and Pearl Harbor and describe/evaluate/ analyze the presidential responses to these two events well as examine/investigate the roles that class, culture, religion, and notions of superiority played in these attacks on the United States.

Pearl Harbor and 9:11 were both similar in a number of ways. First, they were both surprise attacks on America. Another critical similarity is that the surprise attacks were support for the cause of another organization/country. An equally important similarity is that it made the U.S. go to war with another country/ organization. Finally, they both caused the death of thousands and the destruction of large areas.

9:11 was truly a tragic event in American history, but does it hold up against December 7,1941? General Tojo ordered a surprise attack as a direct result of the U.S. helping Britain against Germany. Over 300 ships and planes set out to attack Pearl Harbor. The first wave hit its target at 7:53. This wave started with a bomb drop on Wheeler Field, taking out american fighter planes and another wave of bombs. At 8.55 the second wave started. In this wave the japanese fighter planes were met with anti aircraft fire from both ship and land batteries. The attack lasted an hour and fifteen minutes as they destroyed ships and other important areas. The death toll was around 2,400 people, 18 ships sunk or badly damaged, and the loss of over 300 army and navy ships. Even though the attack was stunning, things such as submarines and oil storage facilities were left undamaged.
That same day President Roosevelt would receive word that the japanese also attacked the British colonies in southeast Asia.The day after the Pearl Harbor navy men were given the day off to look for friends and family. The few days after many Americans felt panicky, angry, and insecure about the attack and the fact realization that an attack like this could happen again. In October of 1944, almost three years after the Pearl Harbor attack Japan surprised the U.S. in the form of Kamikaze pilots. Kamikaze means “Divine Wind” and these pilots were intended to crash into their main target which was American Navy ships with troops and supplies.
On the morning of September 11, 2001, 19 hijackers entered 4 different planes.

Flights 11, 175,77, and 93. Satam Al Suquami, Wail Al Shehri, Waleed Al Shehri, Abdul Aziz Al Omari, and Mohamed Atta entered flight 11 a nonstop flight from Boston to Los Angeles. Flight 11 was hijacked at 8:19 at 35,000 feet by stabbing two flight attendants, spraying mace and a bomb threat. Flight 11 changed its destination from Los Angeles to New York . 8:45 flight 11 crashed into the top half of north tower of the world trade center. At 8:46 the North Tower starts evacuating. Flight 175 was bordered by Marwan Al Shehhi, Fayez Banihammad, Ahmed Al Ghamdi, Hamza Al Ghamdi, and Mohand Al Shehri. this hijacking happened at around 9:00 in the morning. At 9:02 A.M. an evacuation order was broadcasted into the South Tower. Flight 175 crashed into the south tower just one minutes later. At 9:05 the president is informed and the New York City Mayor arrives at the NYPD command post. Nawaf Al Hazmi, Majed Moqed, Hani Hanjour, Khaud Al Mihdhar, Salem Al Hazmi entered flight 77 that was headed toward Washington D.C. At 9:36 Secret Service agents evacuate Vice President Dick Cheney to the Presidential Emergency Operations Center. Flight 77 crashed into the pentagon at 9:37, 25 minutes after being hijacked. Ahmed Al Nami, Saeed Al Ghamdi, Ziad Jarrah, and Ahmad Al Haznawi were on flight 93. This flight was hijacked at 9.28 above eastern Ohio. A couple of minutes after passengers started to retaliate. At

9:42 A.M. the Federal Aviation Administration grounded all flights. Three minutes later evacuations begin at White House and U.S. Capitol. Flight 93 crashed in a field in Pennsylvania at 10:02. One minute later the South tower collapses. At 10:15 part of the pentagon collapses. Thirteen minutes later the north tower collapses. The Mayor Rudolph Giuliani issued an evacuation of Lower Manhattan at 11:02 A.M. Between 12:30 P.M. and 10:30 P.M. rescue workers extracted 17 survivors. We lost 2,996 people that day. The fears on December 7, 1947 about another attack were met that day.
On September 12, 2001 was a very busy day. Thousands of construction workers, first responders, and self dispatched volunteers started looking for survivors. Genelle Guzman was the 18th and final person rescued. The New York Fire Department were also trying to fight fires that were found underneath the rubble. These fires weren’t declared extinguished until December 19, 2001 but Firefighters were on standby just incase fires start up again. The New York Department of Transportation and the New York Department of Sanitation worked on clearing the roads so emergency crews and construction equipment can get by. The Fresh Kills landfill reopens and fires at the Pentagon aren’t fully extinguished but put under control . Recovery at other crash sites also begun. As the years went on books were made , memorials, a museum , lawsuits regarding health damage, and acts that were turned into laws were to occur.
"Yesterday, December 7,1941- a date that will live in infamy- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by the naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan," said Franklin Roosevelt.

"Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror," said George Bush. Both of these presidential responses were used to declare war on another

country.
The Japanese that attacked Pearl harbor were mostly working class people that belonged to the Shinto religion. The Shinto religion is a polytheistic religion that worships a number of gods. Shinto is made of two words that mean “the philosophical way or path”. The terrorists on 9/11 were mostly college graduates with ties from the middle east that very much disliked us because we are a freedom loving country. These terrorists were muslim which means they were followers of the Islamic religion. Islam was founded in 610 A.D. and the belief of Allah or God, angels, life after death and other important things. Islam translates into submission. Both Japan and the Al Qaeda didn't like America for their own reasons.
The first responders of 9/11 were plagued with many medical problems. PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder was the most common health problem of 9/11 attacks. Up to 20% of adults that were there, injured or not, had symptoms of PTSD up to 6 years after the the 9/11 attacks. 15% of the people affected by 9/11 were reported to have depression. People exposed to this were more likely to have a drinking problem. Respiratory illnesses such as sinus problems, asthma or lung problems like sharp decline in lung function have been found. Heart disease and other illnesses such as heartburn, acid reflux, and other gastro esophageal reflux symptoms have been reported.
A bill called the James L. Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act would bring back an expired health care program for 9/11 first responders has not been pass and was finally passed. First responders have been coming down to McConnell's office trying to get it passed. I for one am wondering why it took until December of last year to get it passed.
Both Pearl Harbor and 9/11 brought up the same question, could something like this happen again? I don’t know but I guess we’ll have to wait and see.