It started at 7:48 a.m. Hawaiian time on December 7th, 1941 – the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor.
Now, 74 years later, the United States still remembers the fateful event that led to America’s entrance into World War II — and its ultimate victory.
On the island, the National Park Service and the U.S. Navy plan to hold a joint memorial service Monday to mark the 74th anniversary of the attack.
The joint service is a rehearsal for what is expected to be a much bigger memorial service next year to mark the 75th anniversary of the attack by Japan that killed over 2,400 Americans and brought the U.S. into World War II, KITV TV reported.
In previous years, commemorations took place at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. This year and next year, the ceremony will be at Kilo Pier. KITV reported. More than 3,000 guests and the general public are expected to attend. Next year’s 75th anniversary will be a much larger event with almost 6,000 people.
The Kilo Pier offers not only more space, but also a better view, Daniel Martinez of the National Park Service told KITV.
“When you look out from Kilo Pier across the way, less than a quarter-mile away, you’re looking at the USS Arizona Memorial and the Battleship Missouri, so it’s a wonderful venue,” Martinez said.
The theme of this year’s historic commemoration is “Pathway to Reconciliation: From Engagement to Peace,” focusing on the rebuilding and solidifying the friendship between the U.S. and Japan.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “Pearl Harbor Address” is remembered most often for it’s opening line, calling December 7th “a date which will live in infamy.”
Relive his powerful speech below –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VqQAf74fsE&feature=youtu.be&t=12s
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
I was born five months before the bombing of Pearl Harbor I had one relative that was hit by one of the Japanese war planes as I grew older I made a vow to go see pearl harbor, in 1961 I was stationed at a naval Ammunition base about forty miles from Pearl harbor with the USMC and we could see Pearl Harbor from the back of our Barracks. That year on December 7, 1961 the twenty Anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor over the radio was played an reenactment of the Bombing it was a very eerie expieranceI will have to admit.
I was born in the 60’s. However, I fly the flag at my house on Dec 7th to remember.
In less than one blinding minute, 1,177 Men were vaporized on the U.S.S. Arizona! Most of them are still at their posts! And we now have enemies that make the Japs look tame, and we have a President who seems bent on our destruction! And yes, I called them Japs! GET OVER IT!
Honor a veteran when you see one! And re-institute universal service and the draft. We need more veterans with active service behind them to be elected to represent us in the Congress, and in the Executive Branch.
Who would I contact to make plans to attend the 75th anniversary? Thank You
Who would I contact to make plans for the 75th anniversary next year. Our local travel agency doe not know. Thanks
Immediately after the attack the sentiment was “We will NEVER forget”, but now the sentiment is “How much is that jap car” America forgets pretty damned fast. My father lost a brother and friends to the japs and I would never consider driving a jap vehicle, if they were giving them away.
I WAS JUST A LITTLE KID AND I REMEMBER MY FAMILY WERE GLUED TO OUR SEMI-OVAL AM RADIO LISTENING TO FDR.
I REMBERING ASKING MY DAD ‘DO YOU THINK WE CAN HOLD OUT TUNTIL CHRISTMAS. I WAS AFRAID SANTA WOULD GET DRAFTED.
The United States responded with relentless destruction which would have killed the last Japanese person if that nation had not surrendered unconditionally. They were begging for fiery destruction because of their behavior in China, the Philippines, and around the world. They were an evil empire and they were appropriately destroyed. To this day, the satanic behavior of that nation is hard to comprehend.
Time to lay this puppy to rest. The Japanese are one of our staunchest allies. Having spent several years in Japan I can say thet they are a wonderful and giving people. They do not deserve this hatred given them every year.
I am a Vietnam War veteran and all I can say is war is a horrible non forgiving thing. Until you experience it one never understands its pain, suffering and sorrow. I had 5 uncles that was in the WW2 two were fighting the Germans and three that in the Pacific theater fighting the Japanese and let me be the one to tell you the Japanese were a ferocious enemy. I would recommend that if you never seen the mini series “Pacific” watch it and you’ll be amazed and shocked of just how terrifying it must have been. I fly my American Flag proudly for Remembrance Day (Pearl Harbor) and other days as well. That generation saved the world.
Well P was four years old when they Bomb Pearl Harbor and i can remember my Father holding me and listening to President Roosevelt fabulous speech. An when I was older I
Would say I would never buy a Japanese car or anything made in Japan, That changed
over the years. Today I think we were much better off when think said made in Japan, don’t
you?
I would venture to say, that if we went out and talk to 25 people from the younger generation, on the street. More than half would not know of Pearl Harbor! This type of survey has been conducted before, with disastrous results! We stopped checking on what was being taught to our children, we have failed them but what is more disasters is that we failed protecting America!
Now do same for 9-11 & Paris strike & San Berdino strikes alone.
Were at War, & we better Gear Up & combat or Lose.