Local military historian Jim Johns will speak about the events leading up to the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor during a free program hosted by the Wings of the North Air Museum at Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4.

It is part of the museum’s monthly Speaker Series, held the first Thursday of each month except holidays.

According to a museum press release, Johns will discuss archival information suggesting U.S. officials had advance knowledge of the attack and failed to act. He will also highlight Minnesota connections to the opening hours of World War II, including the role of the USS Ward, a Navy ship crewed by sailors from St. Paul. The ship fired the first U.S. shots of the war when it sank a Japanese mini-submarine attempting to enter Pearl Harbor before the air assault began, the museum said.

The cannon from the USS Ward, long displayed at the Minnesota State Capitol, is being moved to a new location; Johns will address that change as part of his presentation.

To get to the museum, 14893 Sierra Lane, on the grounds of the airport, visitors should enter through Gate H, one mile west of Flying Cloud Drive and just south of Pioneer Trail. Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is free, and donations are welcome. No reservations are required.

More information is available at wotn.org/museum. Wings of the North is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.