STAGE TUBE: Sneak Peek - History Channel's PEARL HARBOR: 24 Hours After Airing 12/7

This Wednesday, the History Channel airs an all new two-hour documentary that takes an in-depth look at what happened in the critical hours after news of the Japanese assault in Hawaii reached President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The special marks the 70th Anniversary of the fateful attacks on American soil.

Just before 8 on the morning of December 7, 1941, hundreds of Japanese fighter planes attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, Hawaii. The barrage lasted just two hours, but it was devastating: The Japanese managed to destroy nearly 20 American naval vessels, including eight enormous battleships, and almost 200 airplanes. More than 2,000 Americans soldiers and sailors died in the attack, and another 1,000 were wounded. The day after the assault, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan; Congress approved his declaration with just one dissenting vote. Three days later, Japanese allies Germany and Italy also declared war on the United States, and again Congress reciprocated. More than two years into the conflict, America had finally joined World War II.

The documentary premieres on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 8:00 pm/et on the History Channel.

To view a clip of the attack on Pearl Harbor, click below!