A Fateful Sunday Morning in Pearl Harbour
The early twentieth century was a period of tremendous development and rising tension. In the Pacific, a developing empire and an established international power were quietly but slowly preparing for an inevitable battle. Japan, an industrial and military giant, aimed to expand its influence in Asia and the Pacific. The United States, on the other hand, maintained its control in the region by establishing strategic naval stations that functioned as both defensive strongholds and warnings to potential attackers. Among these, the harbour on Oahu, Hawaii, stood out—not only because of its position, but also for its symbolic and strategic significance.
Pearl Harbor’s strategic location made it significant even before the bombing. Located near the centre of the Pacific, it was an ideal location for the United States to project power and safeguard its Pacific territories, particularly the Philippines and Guam. However, Pearl Harbour posed a danger to Japan’s objectives in Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands. Controlling this key canal was critical to Japan’s ability to dominate the Pacific theatre without intervention.
Plans for an attack did not form overnight. They were the culmination of decades of antagonism and opposing interests. Japan’s expansionist actions in Manchuria, China, and subsequently French Indochina spurred the United States to impose economic restrictions and embargoes, particularly on oil, a crucial resource for Japan’s war machine. Desperate to grab resources and consolidate control, Japanese officials planned a decisive blow—one that would cripple the United States Pacific Fleet and allow Japan to solidify its gains.
On 7th December 1941 started like any other Sunday. Sailors relaxed, officers went to church, and the busy naval base hummed with bustle. Unbeknownst to those on the ground, six Japanese aircraft carriers lay just north of Hawaii, launching waves of fighters, bombers, and torpedo planes in the early morning darkness.
As the first planes fell on Pearl Harbour, confusion and incredulity spread across the ranks. The legendary battleship USS Arizona was among the first to receive a direct hit, culminating in a huge explosion that confirmed its destiny. Nearby, the USS Oklahoma sank after receiving numerous torpedo strikes, trapping hundreds of men within. In barely 90 minutes, havoc ensued, with approximately 2,400 people killed, over 1,000 injured, and dozens of ships and planes destroyed or severely damaged.
The ingenuity and precision of the attack stunned the world. For many Americans, the image of the Arizona sinking or the black plumes of smoke rising from the harbour were etched in their collective memory—a defining moment of vulnerability and resolve.
The selection of Pearl Harbour as a target was strategic and symbolic. Militarily, the harbour housed the United States Pacific Fleet, which posed the most significant challenge to Japanese goals in the Pacific. A severe blow to the fleet would give Japan valuable time to solidify its positions and strengthen its defences against any American counterattacks.
Pearl Harbour symbolised American dominance in the Pacific. Striking it was both a tactical and psychological manoeuvre, with the goal of demoralising both the US troops and the American people. However, Japan overestimated its adversary’s resilience.
The attack on Pearl Harbour not only brought the United States into World War II, but also constituted a watershed moment in global history. On 8th December 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his memorable “Day of Infamy” speech, inspiring a bereaved but determined nation to act. Congress declared war on Japan within hours, with Germany and Italy following suit days later. The fight, which had previously been confined to Europe and Asia, had now evolved into a global war.
The immediate aftermath of Pearl Harbour was dismal. The Pacific Fleet was seriously damaged, and the US military raced to recover. However, the attack galvanised the American people, resulting in an increase in enlistment and a sense of national unity that few events had previously. Over the next four years, the United States would use its industrial and military strength to shift the tide of the war in conflicts such as Midway and the Philippines.
Today, Pearl Harbour serves as a solemn reminder of the costs of war and a nation’s resilience. The USS Arizona Memorial, which sits above the sunken battleship, is a powerful reminder of sacrifice and perseverance. Thousands of people visit the site each year to pay their respects to those who have died and to reflect on historical lessons.
The events of 7th December 1941, altered not only the direction of the war, but also the geopolitical landscape of the twentieth century. They served as a vivid reminder of the delicate balance of peace and the devastation caused by violence. Looking back, Pearl Harbour is more than just a historical event; it is a story of sorrow, resolve, and transformation that has been inscribed into the world’s collective memory.
Stealing Churchill’s Cigar and Freezing a Moment of History
You know you’ve captured something special when your subject’s frown becomes a symbol of resolve for an entire country. That’s exactly what happened on 30th December 1941, when renowned portrait photographer Yousuf Karsh captured the iconic image of England’s indomitable wartime prime minister, Winston Churchill. This shot has become one of the most famous portraits of the twentieth century, immortalised in history books. But, like with any great event, what happened behind the scenes adds another element of fascination. Let me take you back to that time and explain what happened before and after the famed click.
Before delving into the story of that remarkable photoshoot, it’s important to learn a little bit about the man who organised it: Yousuf Karsh.
Karsh was born in Mardin, Ottoman Empire (modern-day Turkey) in 1908 and grew up in a difficult environment. His Armenian family escaped to avoid persecution during the Armenian Genocide, and he arrived in Canada as a refugee as a teenager. Fortunately, Karsh’s uncle, a photographer from Quebec, took him in and exposed him to the world of photography.
Karsh’s interest in photography grew significantly. He subsequently relocated to Boston to apprentice with John H. Garo, a renowned portrait photographer who trained him and polished his ability to capture not only faces, but the spirit of personality. When Karsh returned to Canada in the mid-1930s, he immediately established a reputation for more than just technical photography; it could portray his subjects’ inner strength, personality, and character. Karsh believed that with the right lighting and creativity, a good portrait might disclose a person’s essence.
Over the years, he photographed many notable figures, including Albert Einstein, Ernest Hemingway, Queen Elizabeth II, and Pablo Picasso. But the actual turning point in his career, his breakthrough moment, occurred when he pointed his camera at Winston Churchill.
It was December 1941, and World War II had engulfed Europe. Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister, had travelled to Ottawa to address the Canadian Parliament, rousing support for the Allies and cementing support in the fight against the Axis forces. It was a really anxious period. Churchill had recently visited Washington, D.C., where he met with U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt to discuss post-Pearl Harbour strategy. The globe was keeping a careful eye on Churchill’s next destination, Canada.
Someone in Ottawa, aware of Karsh’s rising reputation as a photographer of influential people, arranged for him to photograph the British prime minister while he was visiting Parliament. Nobody, including Churchill, could have guessed that the ensuing photograph would capture a specific tone across the whole Allied effort.
Churchill was not too thrilled on the idea of being photographed that day. He had just delivered an important, emotionally charged address in which he guaranteed the world of Britain’s determination to continue fighting Nazi aggression. He was fatigued from the speech and didn’t want to take a photograph. However, as part of the diplomatic niceties, Churchill grudgingly consented to represent Karsh in the Speaker’s Chambers of the Canadian Parliament.
Imagine this scenario: you’ve just done one of the most important speeches of your life, you’re jet-lagged, and exhausted from constant strategic conversations — and now someone wants to flash a camera at you? It’s unsurprising that Churchill was not overjoyed. Karsh, understanding Churchill’s prominence, was understandably concerned. Not only was the prime minister losing patience, but time was running out—he only had a few fleeting moments to get this right.
Churchill was known for his love of cigars, and when he sat down, he held one of his characteristic smokes in his hand. He cut an imposing figure. Recognising that the cigar would interfere with the composition of the shot and intending to convey Churchill’s serious and determined demeanour, Karsh kindly asked Churchill if he would mind removing the cigar. No dice. Churchill, who was known for his sharp wit and occasional grumpiness, just declined and continued to ruminate, the cigar dangling from his mouth unbothered.
This is where the scene takes a dramatic change, and it may be one of the most bold actions in photographic history. Karsh performed something unexpected given his restricted options. Karsh made a brave and hazardous move by confidently approaching Churchill and, without warning, plucked the cigar right out of his mouth. It felt like time had stopped. Imagine everyone in the room gasping together. Karsh later admitted he didn’t know how Churchill would respond. The tension was palpable.
Churchill was well-known for his fiery temper. Enraged, he gave Karsh a fierce scowl, furrowing his brows deeply and pressing his lips closely together. This was one of the most defiant moments I’ve ever witnessed. But then, click ! The exact photograph that would become legendary was captured.
Karsh unwittingly captured “the roar of the lion,” a phrase commonly popularised to symbolise Churchill’s determination and resilience throughout WWII. The photograph became more than just a snapshot of a man; it also represented an unwavering nation striving for survival in the face of hardship.
Following the tremendous moment, the storm dissipated soon. As the old Churchill charm reappeared, the prime minister relaxed and let Karsh shoot several more photos of him. According to Karsh, once the cigar incident was out of Churchill’s system, he relaxed and even grinned. The follow-up images revealed a more relaxed, friendly look. However, none of those images caught the strong intent imprinted in the initial scowling image. Later, Churchill reportedly told Karsh: “You can even make a roaring lion stand still to be photographed.” Karsh’s calculated risk could have gone horribly wrong, but instead earned him Churchill’s reluctant admiration.
That one shot grew to become more than just a portrait. It was published in “Life” magazine and seen by millions of people at a time when Allied morale was desperately low. The image became a visual monument to Britain’s unwavering resolve and leadership during a difficult and uncertain period.
Karsh’s painting of Winston Churchill was recognised not only for its artistic merit, but also as a symbol of something larger: the fight against Nazism. In historical movies, classrooms, and biographies, the image serves as an everlasting memory of WWII and the leadership that propelled the Allies to triumph.
For Yousuf Karsh, the Churchill portrait was a game changer. He quickly rose to prominence as one of the world’s most sought-after photographers. His ability to capture the essence of powerful individuals became his signature. He later stated that the Churchill shot was the defining moment in his career, establishing a legacy that would last for decades.
His career extended six decades, and he photographed approximately 15,000 people, including practically everyone of importance in politics, the arts, and more. Karsh has now been credited for capturing 51 of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century.
Despite his prominence, Karsh was always humble. He didn’t desire power for its own reason; rather, he was genuinely interested in capturing the human spirit underlying the titles and positions. His concept was straightforward: no subject was too important or small, and everyone possessed something particularly powerful within them. And it was his responsibility to convey it to the world.
Regardless of his accomplishments, one thing was certain: the photograph of Winston Churchill was unrivalled. Capturing that moment of defiance, a man who represented the spirit of resistance in the face of overwhelming odds, cemented Yousuf Karsh’s place as a photographic legend, inextricably linked to one of the twentieth century’s most recognised leaders.
Though Karsh went on to take countless classic photos during his long and illustrious career, the photograph of Churchill remains unique. What makes it timeless isn’t just the scowl; it’s the context, the tension in the room, the world on the verge of anarchy, and a photographer willing to push his powerful subject to his breaking point.
The painting was more than just about Winston Churchill; it expressed the collective spirit of resistance and determination that pervaded the Allied nations during WWII. And in the little room where Yousuf Karsh confronted a disgruntled prime minister and flicked his cigar away, history was not only documented, but also created.