- By Supratik Das
- Sun, 07 Dec 2025 01:25 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 2025: The United States is observing the 84th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack today, marking National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day with solemn tributes, memorial services and flags flown at half-staff across the country from sunrise to sunset.
The annual observance honours the 2,403 Americans who lost their lives when Japanese forces launched a surprise aerial assault on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. The 90-minute attack pushed the United States into World War II and forever altered the course of global history.
Across the country, veterans, families of the fallen, military officials and citizens are participating in remembrance ceremonies, including the central commemoration at the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii.
Flags At Half-Staff Across US
In a presidential proclamation issued late Saturday, Americans were urged to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and reflection. The statement recalled the courage of the “Greatest Generation” and described how the attack, instead of breaking the nation, united it in purpose and resolve.
“The memories of that day remind us of the price of freedom and the strength drawn from unity,” the proclamation noted, while also pointing to how the United States and Japan today stand as close allies.
Is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Federal Holiday?
Despite its national importance, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is not a federal public holiday. Daily life across most of the country continues without major disruption.
What’s Open Today
• Federal and state government offices
•Public and private schools
• Banks and financial institutions
• Most retail stores and shopping malls
• Public transport systems
• Private offices and workplaces
• Not Closed Nationwide:
There are no mandatory nationwide closures linked to the observance. However, some local schools, military institutions and community bodies may hold special memorial programs.
Why December 7 Matters
On the morning of December 7, 1941, more than 350 Japanese aircraft struck Pearl Harbor in two waves, destroying nearly 200 US aircraft and severely damaging eight battleships. The USS Arizona alone accounted for 1,177 of the total deaths.
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Beyond mourning, the observance today also reflects how former enemies became partners. Joint US-Japan memorial ceremonies in recent years have come to symbolise reconciliation, diplomacy and peace after decades of shared history.
