Emily DeLetter
USA TODAY
On Dec. 7, 1941, a surprise attack at the Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii would officially begin the United States' involvement in World War II.
That day, which President Franklin Roosevelt would notably call "a date which will live in infamy," is now recognized each year as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
According to the National Park Service, 2,403 service members and civilians were killed and another 1,178 people were injured in the attack. Two U.S. Navy battleships – the USS Arizona and the USS Utah – were also permanently sunk, and 188 aircraft were destroyed.
Commemorations are held every year in Hawaii and across the country to mark the day, and American flags will be flown at half-staff.
![](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/12/07/USAT/5321d5a7-9e14-4eea-a110-ba32c6300f9c-AP_Pearl_Harbor_Anniversary002.jpg?width=980&height=803&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2022/12/06/USAT/2ca00af6-4d35-4646-b834-f662862c33f3-AP22337049094505.jpg?width=1960&height=1504&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
more photos
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/12/07/pearl-harbor-day-photos-1941/71823546007/