On This Day - What happened 8 December 1941 AD

The Philippines campaign fought 8 December 1941, was the invasion of the Philippines by Imperial Japan and the defense of the islands by United States and Philippine forces, the invasion ended on 8 May 1942.

The Malayan campaign was a military campaign fought by Allied and Axis forces in Malaya, from 8 December 1941 – 31 January 1942, The Japanese had air and naval supremacy from the opening days of the campaign. For the British, Indian, Australian and Malayan forces defending the colony, the campaign was a total disaster, the Japanese occupied Malaya.

The declaration of war by the Empire of Japan on the United States and the British Empire was published on December 8, 1941 (Japan time; December 7 in the United States).

Japan occupied the British Crown colony of Hong Kong. The Hong Kong garrison consisted of British, Indian and Canadian units besides Chinese soldiers and conscripts from both within and outside Hong Kong.

Roosevelt signed declaration of war against Japan on December 8.

On 8 December 1941 (9 December in Asian time zones), the government of the United Kingdom declared war on the Empire of Japan, following the Japanese attacks the prior day.

The Dutch East Indies campaign of 1941–1942 was the conquest of the Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia) by forces from the Empire of Japan. Forces from the Allies attempted unsuccessfully to defend the islands. The East Indies were targeted by the Japanese for their rich oil resources which would become a vital asset during the war.

On December 8, 1941 (9 December in Asian time zones), the United States Congress declared war on the Empire of Japan in response to that country's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor the prior day.