Never forget 'a date that will live in infamy'

Never forget ...

"A date that will live in infamy..."

Dec. 7th marks the 74th anniversary of the day America was attacked at Pearl Harbor. You can watch the Academy Award-winning and somewhat controversial John Ford-directed documentary "December 7th: The Pearl Harbor Story" for free on YouTube. Done in black and white, the 81-minute long 1943 docudrama reflects the tempo and flavor of the times.

Has there ever been an event in United States history that was the subject of more documentaries over the past 75 years than the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941?

Here are several more excellent productions depicting the event that led us into World War II and ultimately changed America into a superpower.

This couple hold on to a precious memento: a piece of a Japanese plane that attacked Pearl Harbor. Nicholas Tinari Jr., a U.S. Army soldier, took it from the wreckage after the attack.

"The youngest survivors of Pearl Harbor are now in their 90s. Among all veterans of the war, fewer than 900,000 remain, and they're dying at a rate of 492 a day, according to the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. Not long from now, everyone who served then will be gone.

"What's left, in the words of an author who wrote of another war, are the things they carried – the gear and equipment, the photos and memories, the unusual items now cherished by families."

Bonus: A rare glimpse of a U.S. seaplane lost in the first minutes of the Pearl Harbor attack.

Your next exercise régime

From a friend, a note on staying healthy: "Friends, I have been doing these simple workout moves and am already much better. I recommend you start right away. This was forwarded to me by a doctor in New Orleans. This video shows what I should do daily to help leg and knee pain and stiffness. Once a day is sufficient for assured success! So, let's start today! It takes a few seconds to get started but once you get moving look out!"

Pluto, like you've never before seen it!

New Pluto photos show breathtaking views of the dwarf planet furthest from the sun! As reported by Space.com, "Mountains, craters and plains of the icy dwarf planet have been resolved in detail never before seen: 250-280 feet (77-85 meters) per pixel. "Features smaller than half a city block on Pluto's diverse surface," can be seen according to NASA's New Horizons team."

And you think you've got it rough?

Consider Sisyphus, the Greek mythological man who was condemned to push a boulder uphill for eternity.

"In Greek mythology Sisyphus was the king of Ephyra (now known as Corinth). He was punished for his self-aggrandizing craftiness and deceitfulness by being compelled to roll an immense boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down; repeating this action for eternity." Wikipedia

In this example, Sisyphus is portrayed in a kinetic LEGO sculpture. Watch:

Building instructions and more information can be found at JK Brickworks.

Artistic recycling

Do you recycle your aluminum cans?

This artist does. Paul Villinsky has found a way to repurpose cans into works of art. Like this:

"Much of my work has wings of one sort or another," Villinksy explains. "As an 'Air Force brat,' I grew up surrounded by planes and pilots with clouds in their eyes, and eventually got my own 'ticket.' I can't glance out the window without studying the sky and wishing I were in it. I'm not alone in this: from Leonardo to Lindbergh to Lenny Kravitz, the desire to 'fly away' has had a grip on our collective imagination for millennia."

Villinsky uses found objects to create his art, including gloves. This giant pair of wings, titled "Nightfall", is constructed of gloves, rivets, and wire.

Hypnotizing art

Watch this absolutely mesmerizing video of a Japanese artist creating a Japanese Kokeshi doll from a spinning block of wood. The 400-year old art is said to have originated to sell the wooden figurines as souvenirs to visitors at the local hot springs in Northern Japan. Watch this video and be hypnotized.

Until he comes marching home ...

Usually beer commercials are full of goofy characters and funny gags, but this one carries an important message. Guinness's "Empty Chair" salutes the character of a community as they honor one of their own who is out of sight, but not out of mind.

They remind us that a true test of character is what you do when no one's looking.

And remember ...