The beginning of December commemorates the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.  Pearl Harbor was a naval base located in Oahu, Hawaii that was attacked by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service. This attack was said to be the United States formal entry to World War II. This was a surprise attack and happened on the morning of December  7, 1941. The bombing from the Japanese Navy Air Service killed about 2,403 service members and civilians.  

According to the History Chanel website, the attack was said to have began Sunday morning on December 7. During the attack on Pearl Harbor, eighteen ships sank and only the USS Arizona still lies under water. It is said that the USS Arizona entombed about 1,777 crew members. According to the History Chanel website, President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed what happened the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt said,“Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan…the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory… we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.”

Pearl Harbor is now a national memorial people can visit. There is a visitor center, museums and the public can visit the USS Arizona Memorial. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial said there is a remembrance day held where “Pearl Harbor Survivors, veterans, and visitors from all over the world come together to honor and remember the service members and civilians who were killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor.”

There is also a commemoration ceremony and a moment of silence that takes place on December 7 to honor all the lives that were lost. This ceremony is hosted by the National Park Service and the United States Navy. This ceremony takes place on the Ceremonial Lawn at the Pearl Harbor visitor center.