This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 20 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Lawrence Journal World
Location
Lawrence, Kansas, United States of America
Date
Dec 07, 1941
Page
1
Japanese bombers strike Honolulu and Manila as World War II rapidly widens. Reports say hits on Hickam Field and Pearl Harbor ignite oil tanks while U S and British actions respond. Japanese declares war. Allied statements and defense measures follow.
Over 15 Lawrence men serve in the armed forces scattered from Pearl Harbor to Samoa and Manila. Listings name Mitchell Rowlands Martin Nessly Beamer Haynes Lindenberger Hiddleston Boardman Broeker Louk Cummings and others in air, sea and land units. Ensuing notes place them with the 97th artillery at Fort Ensign Nevada Enterprise Penn sylvania Bagley and more as they join the Pacific conflict.
The army and navy ordered a full wartime stand down with all leaves and furloughs revoked. All personnel on the Pacific seaboard were instructed to report to their stations following the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor and Manila. Harbor defense officers and coast artillery units were directed to report immediately to their stations.
Report says the Japanese sank the British gunboat off the Shanghai settlement area while it lay at anchor, as of Monday December 8. The action occurred during heightened hostilities in the Shanghai waters.
The White House announced the army had received word that an American vessel, likely a cargo ship, was sending distress signals about 700 miles west of San Francisco. The cause and status were not immediately known.
British radio reported Pearl Harbor bombarded on December 7 with no confirmation. The broadcast said a foreign war began at Pearl Harbor and cited an aircraft carrier in operation off Hawaii. Whether a second ship was involved was not stated.
British radio quoted Reuters from Honolulu reporting that several planes were shot down during an attack on Pearl Harbor. The message describes the assault and indicates ongoing coverage from wartime sources.
The White House announced Japan attacked U S outposts in Hawaii and Manila at 3 30 p m EST and that war may have begun. Navy and army countermeasures were ordered into operation as U S forces reported a transport torpedoed west of San Francisco.
New York December 7 Japanese warplanes killed 350 at Hickman Field and set fire to the U S battleship Oklahoma during a sudden raid on Pearl Harbor and Honolulu NBC observer reported. Two other ships in the harbor were attacked. News of the attack reached about 8 a m Honolulu time with a private plane owner reporting gunfire salutes.
San Francisco December 7 Japanese consul general Joshio Muto reacted with disbelief to word that Japan was bombing Honolulu and Manila. He said he had no intimation and did not know what he could do or should do next.
Norfolk police chief Charles B. Borland ordered the immediate arrest of all Japanese nationals in the city after learning of the Japanese attacks on Pacific bases. The action was directed from the Norfolk naval center as part of wartime security measures.
NBC observers reported untold damage to Pearl Harbor and to Honolulu from unidentified bombing planes. Several Japanese bombers were shot down as reports described ships aflame and battles in the air and at sea. Authorities later said air and sea control had been established.
Washington reports heavy damage and probable heavy loss of life from the Japanese attack on Hawaii. Rear Admiral C C Bloch, commander of the 14th naval district, relayed the damage and casualties to the White House. Japan sent bombers over the islands at dawn, according to the transmission. Stephen Early could not confirm conflicting Honolulu reports of a naval engagement.
The Pacific war news breaks into Lawrence as residents dine, prompting quick newsroom mobilization at the Journal-World. AP reports trigger a steady influx of updates, with readers anxious for details on sons serving in the Pacific. The city, enjoying a sunny day, reacts to the startling events.
Rear Admiral Charles A. Blakely of the 11th naval district orders all officers and men attached to the district or vessels to report to their stations or ships immediately after the Japanese air attacks in the Pacific. The district covers southern California from San Luis Obispo to the Mexican border and all of Arizona and New Mexico.
R. P. Cronin Jr. reports Manila 5:25 a m quiet as General MacArthur learns of Pearl Harbor attack and places U S forces on alert. Admiral Hart confirms official notice of hostilities and says steps to meet the situation are in motion.
The navy reported a battle in progress off Honolulu on December 7 with black aircraft carriers and bombers in action over Pearl Harbor defenses. Reports said Hickam Field and an oil tank at Pearl Harbor were hit while several four motor bombers with Rising Sun insignia roamed the skies. A ship at Pearl Harbor was described as lying on its side with four others afire, though not confirmed.
Senator Burton K. Wheeler of Montana said the only thing now is to do our best to flick hell out of them after learning of the Japanese attack on Hawaii and the Philippines. The remark came from Billings on December 7.
The Navy announced censorship on Manila and Honolulu, banning outbound messages from both Pacific points, as relayed to the Associated Press.
Fair weather continues this afternoon and tonight with rising temperatures through the weekend. Overnight temps dip to just below freezing, then climb to near 60 degrees Sunday afternoon for a mild finish.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.