Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in United States
Quick Facts
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is held in remembrance of those who lost their lives or were injured in the attacks in 1941 on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii by the Imperial Japanese Navy.Name
Pearl Harbor Remembrance DayPearl Harbor Remembrance Day 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009See list of observations below
On December 7, 1941, the American Army and Navy base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was attacked by the Imperial Japanese Navy. Many American service men and women lost their lives or were injured. The United States Army and Navy lost a lot of equipment, including ships and aircraft. The events in Pearl Harbor lead to the escalation of World War II. On December 7, those who died or were injured are remembered.
Some communities hold special memorial services on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. ©iStockphoto.com/ Joanna Pecha
What do people do?
On the direction of the President, the flag of the United States of America should be displayed on the homes of Americans, the White House and all United States government buildings. The flag should be flown at half-mast to honor those who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor. Some communities hold special church services or other events.Public life
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is not a federal holiday. Government offices, schools, businesses and other organizations do not close. Public transit systems run on their regular schedules. Some organizations may hold special events in memory of those killed or injured in Pearl Harbor.Background
On Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, the American Army and Navy base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was attacked by the Imperial Japanese Navy. The attack came as a surprise to the American Army and Navy and lead to great losses of life and equipment. Over 2000 American citizens were killed and over 1000 injured. The Americans also lost a large proportion of their battle ships and nearly 200 aircraft that were stationed in the Pacific region. In addition, just over 60 Japanese servicemen were killed, injured or captured. The Japanese Navy also lost five midget submarines and 29 aircraft.The Japanese military had hoped that the attack on Pearl Harbor would prevent the United States of America from increasing her influence in the Pacific. However, the events in Pearl Harbor actually led to the escalation of World War II. The day after the attack, the United States declared war on Japan and so entered World War II. Shortly afterwards, Germany also declared war on the United States.
In 1991, the United States Congress established the Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal. This is also known as the Pearl Harbor Survivor's Medal and can be awarded to any veteran of the United States military who were present in or around Pearl Harbor during the attack by the Japanese military. The medal can be awarded to civilians, who were killed or injured in the attack.
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Observances
| Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday type | Where it is observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | Dec 7 | 1980 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Mon | Dec 7 | 1981 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Tue | Dec 7 | 1982 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Wed | Dec 7 | 1983 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Fri | Dec 7 | 1984 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Sat | Dec 7 | 1985 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Sun | Dec 7 | 1986 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Mon | Dec 7 | 1987 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Wed | Dec 7 | 1988 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Thu | Dec 7 | 1989 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Fri | Dec 7 | 1990 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Sat | Dec 7 | 1991 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Mon | Dec 7 | 1992 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Tue | Dec 7 | 1993 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Wed | Dec 7 | 1994 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Thu | Dec 7 | 1995 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Sat | Dec 7 | 1996 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Sun | Dec 7 | 1997 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Mon | Dec 7 | 1998 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Tue | Dec 7 | 1999 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Thu | Dec 7 | 2000 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Fri | Dec 7 | 2001 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Sat | Dec 7 | 2002 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Sun | Dec 7 | 2003 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Tue | Dec 7 | 2004 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Wed | Dec 7 | 2005 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Thu | Dec 7 | 2006 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Fri | Dec 7 | 2007 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Sun | Dec 7 | 2008 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Mon | Dec 7 | 2009 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Tue | Dec 7 | 2010 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Wed | Dec 7 | 2011 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Fri | Dec 7 | 2012 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Sat | Dec 7 | 2013 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Sun | Dec 7 | 2014 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance | |
| Mon | Dec 7 | 2015 | Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day | Observance |
Other holidays in December 2008 in United States
- Eid-al-Adha (Tuesday, December 9, 2008)
- December Solstice (Sunday, December 21, 2008)
- First day of Chanukah (Monday, December 22, 2008)
- Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25, 2008)
- Kwanzaa (until Jan 1) (Friday, December 26, 2008)
- Muharram/New Year (Monday, December 29, 2008)
- Last day of Chanukah (Monday, December 29, 2008)
- New Year's Eve (Wednesday, December 31, 2008)
Other calendars
- Perpetual yearly calendar - make yearly calendar for any year
- Perpetual monthly calendar - shows only one month at a time
- Custom calendar - make customized calendars
