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The Attack on Pearl Harbor timeline - Printable History Worksheets - Wayground

The Attack on Pearl Harbor timeline

9 questions

3rd - 3rd Grade

History

The Attack on Pearl Harbor timeline is a Grade 3 history worksheet with nine multiple-choice questions about the events of December 6–8, 1941. Students match key developments to their dates and times, including the final appeal for peace, the decoded warning in Washington, the radar sighting, the first and second attack waves, the USS Arizona strike, the end of the air attack, and the United States and Britain declaring war on Japan. This worksheet helps students read a historical timeline, connect event descriptions with precise timestamps, and distinguish between closely sequenced events on the same day. It is useful for introducing or reviewing the chronology of the Pearl Harbor attack and checking students’ understanding through selected-response questions. The worksheet is free to print and includes a complete answer key for efficient review and grading.

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The Attack on Pearl Harbor timeline

Total questions: 9

Name
Class
Date
1.

When did President Franklin makes his final appeal to the Emperor of Japan for peace. No reply is received.

a)

Dec. 7, 7:02 AM

b)

Sat. Dec. 6, 1941

c)

Dec. 7, 7:55 AM

d)

Dec. 7, 8:54 AM

2.

When was the Message decoded in Washington saying attack to Pearl Harbor is imminent, but communication lines are down

a)

Sun. Dec. 7, 4:00 AM

b)

Sat. Dec. 6, 1941

c)

Dec. 7, 7:20 AM

d)

Dec. 7, 9:45 AM

3.

When did The Japanese air attack ends, leaving great damage and loss of life.

a)

Dec. 7, 8:54 AM

b)

Dec. 8, 1941

c)

Dec. 7, 8:10AM

d)

Dec. 7, 9:45 AM

4.

What happened Dec. 8, 1941?

a)

President Franklin makes his final appeal to the Emperor of Japan for peace. No reply is received.

b)

The United States and Britain declare war on Japan, officially entering World War II

c)

Fighter planes are first spotted on radar. Operator waits for an officer call back

d)

The first wave of Japanese attacks begin. Battleships were the main target with airfields a second target

5.

Fighter planes are first spotted on radar. Operator waits for an officer call back.

a)

Dec. 8, 1941

b)

Dec. 7, 7:02 AM

c)

Dec. 7, 7:55 AM

d)

Dec. 7, 8:54 AM

6.

What happened Dec. 7, 7:20 AM?

a)

Fort Shafter responds to radar call, stating to not worry about it. Planes were expected from California

b)

Message is decoded in Washington saying attack to Pearl Harbor is imminent, but communication lines are down

c)

The USS Arizona battleship is hit, killing over 1,100 crewman. It begins to sink about 9 minutes later.

d)

The Japanese air attack ends, leaving great damage and loss of life

7.

The first wave of Japanese attacks begin. Battleships were the main target with airfields a second target

a)

Dec. 8, 1941

b)

Dec. 7, 8:54 AM

c)

Dec. 7, 7:55 AM

d)

Dec. 7, 7:02 AM

8.

The USS Arizona battleship is hit, killing over 1,100 crewman. It begins to sink about 9 minutes later.

a)

Sat. Dec. 6, 1941

b)

Sun. Dec. 7, 4:00 AM

c)

Dec. 7, 7:20 AM

d)

Dec. 7, 8:10AM

9.

The second wave of Japanese attacks begin meeting with heavy fire

a)

Sun. Dec. 7, 4:00 AM

b)

Dec. 7, 8:54 AM

c)

Dec. 7, 7:55 AM

d)

Dec. 7, 9:45 AM

Answer Key

The Attack on Pearl Harbor timeline

Total questions: 9

1.
b)

Sat. Dec. 6, 1941

2.
a)

Sun. Dec. 7, 4:00 AM

3.
d)

Dec. 7, 9:45 AM

4.
b)

The United States and Britain declare war on Japan, officially entering World War II

5.
b)

Dec. 7, 7:02 AM

6.
a)

Fort Shafter responds to radar call, stating to not worry about it. Planes were expected from California

7.
c)

Dec. 7, 7:55 AM

8.
d)

Dec. 7, 8:10AM

9.
b)

Dec. 7, 8:54 AM

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FAQs

What does The Attack on Pearl Harbor timeline worksheet cover?

This Grade 3 history worksheet covers the sequence of Pearl Harbor events from December 6 through December 8, 1941. Its nine multiple-choice questions require students to match event descriptions—such as the radar sighting, the first attack wave, the USS Arizona strike, and the end of the attack—to the correct date or time.

How can I use this worksheet to teach the Pearl Harbor timeline?

Introduce the timeline by separating the events into December 6, December 7, and December 8, then have students notice how several events occur only minutes apart on December 7. Before students answer the multiple-choice questions, ask them to explain what changed from the radar warning and Fort Shafter’s response to the attacks and the later declaration of war.

What mistakes should I watch for when students complete this Pearl Harbor timeline worksheet?

Students may confuse closely spaced times, especially the 7:02 AM radar sighting, the 7:20 AM Fort Shafter response, the 7:55 AM first attack wave, and the 8:10 AM USS Arizona strike. They may also select a December 7 event for the December 6 peace appeal or overlook that the worksheet places the declaration of war on December 8 and the end of the air attack at 9:45 AM.

How do I assign and grade The Attack on Pearl Harbor timeline worksheet?

Wayground provides this worksheet as a printable PDF and as a digital quiz, with a complete answer key for all nine multiple-choice questions. You can grade printable submissions by scanning student work with the Wayground for Teachers app, or review responses through the digital quiz.

How can I differentiate this Pearl Harbor timeline worksheet for my students?

In the worksheet’s Advanced Settings, adjust font spacing or choose a larger font size to make the nine multiple-choice items and their time-based options easier to read. You can also apply a dyslexia-friendly font or translate the worksheet into another language when those options support access to the timeline content.

Where can I find more worksheets like this on Wayground?

Wayground offers a comprehensive collection of free printable worksheets and practice problems across all subjects, with downloadable PDFs and answer keys to help students master essential skills and concepts. Browse more resources at https://wayground.com/en-us/worksheets.

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