PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — The 83rd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor was commemorated Saturday with a ceremony at the National Memorial in Hawaii. The annual event honors the lives lost and reflects on the enduring impact of what President Franklin D. Roosevelt called a “date which will live in infamy.”
On Dec. 7, 1941, 350 Japanese aircraft launched a surprise aerial assault on the U.S. naval base in Oahu, killing more than 2,400 Americans and crippling a portion of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The attack launched the United States into World War II.
Each year, thousands gather on the shores of Pearl Harbor to pay tribute. This year, only two survivors of the attack were in attendance, according to Pacific Historic Parks.
The theme of this year’s commemoration is “Forging Ahead.” Organizers emphasized the role of younger Americans in keeping the memory of the attack alive while honoring the service and legacy of those who witnessed it firsthand.