The Battle of Pearl Harbor, which occurred on December 7, 1941, was not won by either side in the traditional sense. Instead, it was a surprise military strike by the Japanese Imperial Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This attack led to significant losses for the United States, including the sinking or damaging of eight battleships and the destruction of nearly 200 aircraft.
While Japan succeeded in its immediate tactical goal of inflicting heavy damage on the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the longer-term strategic implications of the attack were not in their favor. The attack galvanized the American public and led to the United States’ formal entry into World War II. Within a few months, the U.S. had begun retaliatory actions against Japanese forces, shifting the momentum of the war. Therefore, while Japan achieved a tactical victory on that day, it ultimately suffered a strategic defeat as the conflict progressed.