Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (Honoring December 7 and Its Lasting Impact on the U.S. and Japan)NEW

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is observed on December 7 in the United States to honor the lives lost during the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, which led to the U.S. entering World War II. It is a day of reflection, memorial ceremonies, and national remembrance. While not a federal holiday, flags are flown at half-staff, and Americans pause to remember the significance of the event. In Japan, the day is acknowledged as a pivotal moment in history that shaped post-war relations and fostered a long path toward peace and partnership between the two nations.

United States (Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day - December 7)
• Flags are flown at half-staff nationwide to honor those who lost their lives in 1941
• Commemorative ceremonies and wreath-laying at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and the USS Arizona Memorial (often with survivor tributes)
• Moment of silence around 7:55 a.m. HST, the approximate time the attack began
• Educational programs, museum talks, and remembrance services hosted by veterans’ groups, bases, and schools
• Presidential proclamation and local proclamations encouraging reflection (not a federal holiday; most businesses remain open)

Japan (Observance/Context)
• December 7 is not a public holiday; regular workday with no nationwide ceremonies
• Media coverage, academic discussions, and museum programming may reflect on the history and consequences of the Pacific War
• Emphasis in many settings on reconciliation and post-war peace, including occasional joint events with U.S. counterparts
• Peace-education activities at institutions and museums highlight lessons learned and the modern U.S.-Japan alliance

Date Observed
Dec 7th