DAY OF INFAMY
Before the horror of 9/11 and the indelible images of hijacked jetliners crashing into the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, today's date stood alone as the symbol of an America at peace struck by a devastating sneak attack that plunged the nation into war.
Shortly after sunrise 68 years ago, waves of carrier-borne Japanese bombers, torpedo planes and fighters swept across the glittering waters of Pearl Harbor and delivered a crippling blow to the anchored ships of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Four battleships were sunk, including the USS Arizona; four other dreadnoughts were heavily damaged; scores of Army and Navy aircraft were destroyed on the ground; and at least 2,402 military personnel and civilians were killed, most of them sailors. In the terrible aftermath, America declared war on Japan and formally entered World War II.
WIZARDS WAIT
Three North Carolina whiz kids will find out this morning whether they won the top prize at the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology, a prestigious national academic competition for high school students.
WHERE DOES CLAY HANG HIS HAT?
The Wake County Board of Elections tackles the sour-noted issue of Clay Aiken's voter registration status on Wednesday. Wake GOP Chairman Claude Pope says he didn't challenge Aiken's voter status because the pop singer criticized the new Wake school board members on his blog. The question for the board: Is Aiken's official residency his mom's house or his spacious digs in Chatham County?
MURDERERS' REQUEST
Two more inmates sentenced to life in prison will make pleas to a judge this week for freedom. Alford Jones and Faye Brown, two prisoners convicted of murder in the 1970s, will ask Wake Superior Court Judge Ripley Rand to order the state Department of Correction to honor credits they earned for good behavior, classes and jobs. If Rand agrees, both could be home soon.
NOT HANK JR.'S KIND OF SPORT
That's because we're talking about the other brand of football. After Friday night, we'll know whether UNC and Wake Forest - maybe both, maybe neither - will make it to the NCAA men's soccer version of the Final Four. One thing's certain, though: The NCAA Men's College Cup will be played Friday and Sunday at Cary's WakeMed Soccer Park.
HOT TICKETS
On Wednesday, stoic-voiced singer and songwriter Bill Callahan will play Local 506 in Chapel Hill. Callahan takes the stage at 9:30 p.m.
Brendan Benson, spinner of ornate popcraft, will be at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on Thursday. Showtime is 9 p.m.
The smokin' heat of blues guitarist Tinsley Ellis will be center stage Friday night at Blue Bayou in Hillsborough.
