The American viewpoint is summed up rather well in the movie 'Pearl Harbour' (Harbor?).
Bombs are raining down all over the shop and the hero is asked WIHIH? He says, "I think World War 2 just broke out", obviously unaware that it had actually been going on for slightly over two years at that point.
They certainly seem quite determined not to miss out on the start of the 3rd one!
Taff