“ Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan….” On Dec. 8, 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt came across airwaves throughout the United States speaking those words to inform its citizens of a terrible attack on one of the country’s most beloved islands – Hawaii.
The location, where the U.S. kept a majority of its naval fleet, was bombed by Japanese fighter pilots. The attack, which occurred on Dec. 7, left a large number of people dead, and the U.S. now had to strike back and enter World War II. That day is now remembered as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
Will Anything Be Closed?
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is observed annually on Dec. 7. It is a holiday to remember and honor all those who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
It is not a federal holiday however, government offices, schools and businesses do not close. Some organizations. Not many places will close their doors in remembrance of Pearl Harbor. However, hold special events in memory of those killed or injured in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
When did Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Become a Holiday?
On August 23, 1994 the United States Congress designated Dec. 7 of each year as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is also known as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day or Pearl Harbor Day. It is a tradition to fly the of the United States flag at half-staff until sunset on Monday, Dec. 7 in honor of those fallen in the attacks on Pearl Harbor.
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor lasted less than two hours. However, during that short time, 19 American warships were sunk or damaged. More than 2,400 Americans were killed and more than 1,100 were wounded. The attack sank four U.S. Navy battleships and damaged four more. It also decimated three cruisers, three destroyers, one minelayer and damaged 188 aircrafts.
The very next day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the people of the U.S. in the famous “Infamy Speech.” During the speech, the president also asked Congress to declare war on Japan. Congress declared war that day, and the United States entered World War II.
Memorials for Pearl Harbor
Memorials have been built to commemorate the events at Pearl Harbor. The most famous of these is the USS Arizona Memorial, which was dedicated in 1962. The monument sits on top of the water above the remains of the sunken battleship USS Arizona. It marks the resting place of more than 1,000 of the American sailors who died on that day.
No matter where you are that day, take a moment to think about the events on Pearl Harbor Day, and reflect on what those things mean to you. Many men and women lost their lives that day due to the attacks by the Japanese and it forever changed U.S. history.
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