President Joe Biden and governors across the U.S. have directed that flags fly at half-staff Saturday, December 7, in honor of Americans who died at Pearl Harbor 83 years ago.
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day honors the 2,403 service members and civilians killed after Japanese forces attacked the U.S. naval base on Oahu, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941. Over 1,000 other people were injured. Multiple battleships, including the USS Arizona and USS Utah, sank in the attack, and 188 aircraft were destroyed.
The surprise attack compelled the U.S. to enter World War II.
“Today, we must be keepers of their mission and bearers of the flame of freedom they kept burning bright,” President Joe Biden said in a proclamation.
Biden urged all federal agencies, interested organizations, groups and people to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff Saturday. States issued their own orders to also lower flags.
What does it mean to fly the American flag at half-staff or half-mast?
The American flag is flown at half-staff, on land (or half-mast on a ship) when the U.S. or a state is in mourning, according to the federal government. The president, a state governor or the mayor of the District of Columbia can order flags to fly at half-staff. This can be to honor a government official, military service member or first-responder. It’s also done during a national tragedy or on Memorial Day or another day of national remembrance.
In 1994, Congress designated December 7 as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
