Today is the 71st anniversary of Pearl Harbor. You'll no doubt see shows about possible conspiracies and our own government's possible knowledge of the attack before it happened.
But here's some food for thought:
In 1999, diplomatic papers located and disclosed for the first time show a very different story.
A draft memorandum had been prepared by Japanese leaders in accordance with the Hague Convention, which stated that countries must notify other countries of war before an initial attack. But debates within Japan's own government prevented it from being sent to United States officials. A wartime diary substantiates the debate; while government officials wanted to send the warning, the country's Navy and Army rejected it, opting for a surprise attack.
The result is what the Japanese referred to as "our deception diplomacy" - and they successfully kept their ambassadors in the dark about their plans to attack Pearl Harbor. The diplomats thought they were continuing talks with Washington, but the powers in control in Japan knew the talks would lead nowhere.
Will you observe Pearl Harbor Day? If so, how? What version of events do you believe?
