FOLLOW US

The Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum is commemorating Pearl Harbor Day with a wreath-laying ceremony to honor the service members who served and lost their lives during the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941.

The Intrepid museum also paid tribute to those service members and civilians who survived the unprovoked attack at Pearl Harbor. More than 2,000 service members and civilians were killed during the attack, which prompted the United States to fight in World War II.

Then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his famous Infamy Speech on December 8, 1941, when he asked Congress to declare war against the Japanese empire. Roosevelt said the unprovoked attack on Pearl Harbor a “date which will live in infamy.” He also said, "No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory."

“A date that will live in infamy…”
President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers his famous speech following the attack on Pearl Harbor, prompting the U.S.’s entrance into #WWII. #HonorThem #PearlHarbor79 pic.twitter.com/Wm7qAAmEf0

— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) December 7, 2020

 This year, the Intrepid museum prepared a video tribute to commemorate Pearl Harbor Day.

In her remarks, Intrepid Museum President Susan Marenoff-Zausner said, “December 7 marks a pivotal day in our nation’s history. The unprovoked attack at Pearl Harbor plunged our country into World War II -- the most devastating conflict in history.  It was a day that cost 2,400 American lives -- just the first in a war that would ultimately claim more than 400,000 of our nation’s men and women in uniform, and many millions more throughout the world. That date of infamy also brought together the American people – united as a nation wholeheartedly committed to victory in the Second World War.”

Intrepid played an important part in that fight. The keel of Intrepid was laid just one week prior to Pearl Harbor and the attack expedited its construction. The ship went on to serve in some of the most pivotal battles of the Pacific Theater.

Remembering those lost on this date in 1941, and in the four years of brutal fighting that followed, is our responsibility as Americans, a national duty. We at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum pledge to forever remember the heroism of people like Chick and like our Intrepid crew members, all those who answered and continue to answer the call to defend our country, and to defend freedom throughout the world.”