“A Date Which Will Live In Infamy”
December 7th marks Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
84 years ago today, Japanese forces carried out a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. More than 2,400 American service members and civilians were killed, and thousands more were injured. The assault provided the casus belli for the United States’ entry into World War II and reshaped the course of global history.
Federal and State buildings have lowered the U.S. flag to half-staff from sunrise to sunset, a sign of respect ordered in Washington and echoed by Governors in several States.
In his official proclamation, President Donald J. Trump noted the purpose of the day:
“I encourage all Americans to observe this solemn day and to honor our military, past and present, with appropriate ceremonies and activities.”
The attack on Pearl Harbor is often recalled through the words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who said of December 7, 1941, that it was, “a date which will live in infamy.”
Today’s commemorations are both a tribute and a reminder. With the number of surviving Pearl Harbor veterans dwindling, communities and organizations increasingly rely on recorded histories, educational programs, and memorial events to keep their stories alive.
Families, school groups, and civic leaders will be holding moments of silence and wreath-laying ceremonies in towns and cities nationwide. For many, the day remains a chance to reflect on courage, resilience and the price of freedom.
