This day in 1941 brought American into active participation in WWII. American had been the factory provisioning the UK and Commonwealth, and on that day transitioned from a logistics role to active combatant.

The losses that day don’t carry the same weight now as the losses of 0/11/2001, and even the latter is fading from memory. However, the cauldron that followed created what we call “The Greatest Generation” and legendary leaders in business, politics, technology and entertainment.

You’ve probably seen the picture of the Shaw blowing up, but may not have seen the others, below.