The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor took place on December 7, 1941. In 1994, the U.S. Congress designated December 7 as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
Pearl Harbor survivors, veterans, and visitors from around the world gather together each year on that day to honor and remember the 2,403 service members and civilians who were killed during the attack. The Pearl Harbor ceremonies also recognize another 1,178 people who were injured in the attack, which permanently sank the USS Arizona and USS Utah. The attack also destroyed or damaged 19 U.S. Navy ships, including eight battleships, and destroyed or damaged more than 300 U.S. aircraft.
December 7, 2021, will be the 80th commemoration of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the subsequent entry of the United States into World War II. The theme for this year’s National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day commemoration is “Valor, Sacrifice, and Peace.”
“The goal of the commemoration and supplemental events is to ensure that future generations will understand the valor and legacy of those who perished and those who fought throughout the war,” the National Park Service explains. “The commemoration also highlights the importance of the peace that brought a reconciliation that continues to create a better future for all.”
The Pearl Harbor Attack
On November 26, 1941, the Japanese Imperial Navy ordered an armada of six aircraft carriers with 414 planes to sail for Hawaii. To maintain secrecy and surprise, the ships maintained radio silence throughout their 3,500-mile trip to a launch sector 230 miles north of the Hawaiian island of Oahu.
Then, at 6 a.m. on Sunday, December 7, a wave of Japanese aircraft lifted off from their carriers. A second wave of aircraft lifted off 1 hour later.
The Japanese began attacking the U.S. Pacific Fleet a few minutes before 8 a.m. Those attacks — which resulted in the United States Declaration of War on Japan and led the country into World War II — killed 2,403 Americans.
In less than 90 minutes, the Japanese planes also destroyed or damaged 19 U.S. warships and 300 aircraft.
“No moment in the history of the United States casts a longer shadow than Pearl Harbor,” Robert Citino, Ph.D., the Samuel Zemurray Stone Senior Historian in the Institute for the Study of War and Democracy, explains in an article for the National WWII Museum. “‘Remembering it has become a national imperative, a patriotic duty for the American people, and reminding us of that duty has become a ritual of media and political discourse — repeated so often and in so many ways that it’s become part of the routine of our communal life.”
This Year’s Commemoration
The National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Navy Region Hawaii, with the support of Pacific Historic Parks, will host a series of events as part of the 80th National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day commemoration this year.
Here’s a rundown of those ceremonies.
USS Nevada BB-36 Memorial Ceremony
December 5, 1 p.m. HST/ 3 p.m. PST/ 6 p.m. EST
“The USS Nevada, the oldest battleship on Battleship Row when the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred, managed to get underway during the attack, but was subsequently damaged and grounded herself near Hospital Point,” the NPS explains. “Family and friends will gather at historic Hospital Point to honor the crew and the legacy of the USS Nevada.”
The ceremony is open to the public, however, naval base access is required. You can also watch the ceremony here.
USS Utah Sunset Memorial Ceremony
December 6, 5 p.m. HST/ 7 p.m. PST/ 10 p.m. EST
“The ceremony honors the loss of the USS Utah and 58 crewmen after the ship was torpedoed during the attack on Pearl Harbor,” the NPS explains. “The USS Utah was the first ship torpedoed in the attack; it sank 12 minutes later.”
The ceremony is open to the public, however, naval base access is required. You can also watch the ceremony here.
Pearl Harbor 80th Remembrance Ceremony
December 7, 7:40 a.m. HST/ 9:40 a.m. PST/ 1:40 p.m. EST
“This year’s ceremony — ‘Valor, Sacrifice, and Peace’ — honors the sacrifices of those who died in the attack while paying tribute to the allies’ ultimate victory in WWII,” the NPS explains.
It will begin with remarks by Tom Leatherman, National Park Service – Pearl Harbor National Memorial superintendent, and RADM Kott Navy Region Hawaii — followed by the ceremony’s keynote speaker, the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, secretary of the Navy. The event will also feature the Pacific Fleet Band, a wreath presentation, and a fly over.
The NPS notes that approximately 40 Pearl Harbor survivors, another 110 World War II veterans, and 800 members of the public are expected to attend the event at Kilo Pier.
Attendance at the ceremony is by invitation only for the health and safety of the veterans. However, you can watch the ceremony here.
USS Oklahoma: Reinterment Of The Unknowns
December 7, 11 a.m. HST / 1 p.m. PST/ 4 p.m. EST
The USS Oklahoma was struck by eight torpedoes during the attack on Pearl Harbor. While the 415 sailors and 14 Marines aboard the ship continued to fight, and the ship began to capsize, it was struck by another torpedo.
Only 35 men were identified out of the 429 killed. Through the 6-year effort of Project Oklahoma, 355 of 388 sailors and Marines have now been identified.
The U.S. Navy, partnering with the Department of Defense Pow/MIA Accounting Agency, and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, will host the reinterment of the 33 remaining unknown sailors aboard the USS Oklahoma during the attack.
Attendance at the ceremony is by invitation only. However, you can also watch the USS Oklahoma: Reinterment of the Unknowns here.
USS Oklahoma Memorial Ceremony
December 7, 2 p.m. HST/ 4 p.m. PST/ 7 p.m. EST
World War II veterans, U.S. and allied service members, and friends and family pay tribute to the 429 crew members of the USS Oklahoma killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor. The ceremony will be held on Ford Island.
The ceremony is open to the public, however, naval base access is required. You can also watch the ceremony live here.
USS Arizona Interment Of Lt. Harvey Milhorn
December 7, 4 p.m. HST/ 6 p.m. PST/ 9 p.m. EST
The Pearl Harbor National Memorial, in partnership with the U.S. Navy Region Hawaii, will conduct the 45th interment of a USS Arizona Survivor.
When the USS Arizona was attacked, Gunner’s Mate 3 Harvey Milhorn was blown off the back of the ship before it burned and sank. He then swam to safety on Ford Island where he received medical care. Milhorn was eventually reassigned to the USS Tennessee, and then served on various ships throughout World War II. He later retired from the U.S. Navy as a fully commissioned Lieutenant.
Milhorn, who passed away in 2002, will be interred on the battleship memorial.
Attendance at the interment is by invitation only, however you can also watch it here.
Commissioning Of DDG 118
December 8, 9:45 a.m. HST/ 11:45 a.m. PST/ 2:45 p.m. EST
During this ceremony, the U.S. Navy will commission DDG 118, the USS Daniel Inouye, in Pearl Harbor. The ship is named for Medal of Honor recipient and longtime U.S. Senator from Hawaii, Daniel K. Inouye.
Attendance at the ceremony is by invitation only, however, you can watch the commissioning of DDG here.
USS Utah Live Dive
Dec 9, 11 a.m. HST/ 1 p.m. PST / 4 p.m. EST
The Pearl Harbor National Memorial has partnered with the National Park Service – Submerged Resource Center to conduct the first-ever virtual, interactive live dive of the USS Utah. The USS Utah is the only other ship that was left where she capsized on December 7, 1941.
Divers from the National Park Service will be supported and accompanied by U.S. Navy Region Hawaii – Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit One divers. The best part is that you can “virtually” dive with them along the underwater remains of the USS Utah.
If you’ll be at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, you can watch the dive on screens there. Otherwise, you can watch the dive as it happens here.
