Pearl Harbor Day Ceremonies

On August 23^rd, 1994, Congress designated December 7^th as “National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.” The first observance occurred on December 7th of that same year. Every year, Pearl Harbor survivors, veterans, and visitors from all over the world have come together to honor and remember the 2,403 service members and civilians who were killed during the attack. Every year, remembrance events are held at the National Pearl Harbor Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii, culminating in a commemoration ceremony on December 7^th.

This year will mark the 84^th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. This year's theme of the commemoration is pathways to peace. It is important that, as a nation, we remember that, at the time, opportunities for peace were nonexistent due to our being engulfed in a global war. As a country, we look forward with gratitude, optimism, and determination to embrace opportunities to create a brighter future.

Aside from the USS Arizona, another ship that was lost during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was the USS Utah. The USS Utah was the first ship torpedoed in the attack of the Pacific fleet. She sank in 12 minutes, killing 58 crew members. Every year, around or on December 7^th, the “USS Utah Memorial Sunset Ceremony” is held to honor the loss of the ship and all her crew members who perished. This event is open to the public; however, visitors must have access to Ford Island.

On December 7^th, at 7:55 am, the Empire of Japan attacked the United States naval station at Pearl Harbor, killing over 2,400 Americans. At the time, the 2,400 lives lost were the most Americans killed on our soil until the events of 9/11. Every year on this day, survivors, veterans, and visitors from all over the world come together to remember and honor the lives that were lost. The courage and heroism shown that day impacted our world as we know.

Another notable ship that was lost during the attack on Pearl Harbor was the USS Oklahoma. The casualties lost that day included 415 sailors and 14 marines. However, despite being struck by torpedoes, crew members continued to fight. Every year on December 7^th, veterans of World War II, other service members, friends, and family gather every year to honor the 429 crew members lost. The event is open to the public; however, visitors must have access to Ford Island.

A day after Pearl Harbor Day, there is one additional ceremony that happens at the USS Arizona Memorial. This event is known as the “Black Canteen Ceremony.” In mid-June of 1945, during a bombing raid over Shizuoka, Japan, two B-29 Superfortress bombers collided, killing 23 crewmen. The raid itself killed over 2,000 people. In the aftermath of the raid, a local farmer named Fukumatsu Ito discovered a blackened canteen amongst the wreckage and began an annual ceremony. The ceremony itself includes the pouring of bourbon whiskey from the actual canteen on the crash site, honoring American and Japanese lives lost that day. This event itself is private and only those invited can attend.