Pearl Harbor 70th Anniversary Events - December 2-8, 2011

_{USS Arizona Memorial}

December 7, 2011 will mark the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the subsequent entry of the United States into World War II.

Of the estimated 60,000 men and women in the military stationed on Oahu on that day, only a few thousand survive today. The youngest are in their late eighties. More survivors die every day.

On this historic anniversary, to honor those who died, military and civilians alike, as well as those who survived and to always remember December 7, 1941, a number of special events will take place between December 2 and December 8, 2011 at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii. Most events are free and open to the public. The Pearl Harbor Attack Symposium does incur a fee and is only available by advance reservation.

70th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Attack Symposium
December 2 - 5, 2011
Location - WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument - Pearl Harbor Visitor Center

Nationally acclaimed authors, historians and actual Pearl Harbor survivors will recount and analyze the events that lead America into World War II. Hosted by the National Park Service and Pacific Historic Parks, the 70th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Attack Symposium will include panels, lectures, receptions, a Pearl Harbor Historic Boat tour and a special narrated bus tour to actual attack sites throughout Oahu. Cost is $150 per person. Registration is limited, so please register early. More information.

Jukebox Saturday Night: A USO Tribute
December 3, 2011, 6:30 p.m.
Location - WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument - Pearl Harbor Visitor Center

Special 1940s-era musical tribute and concert in commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Visitors can bring a picnic dinner, watch the sunset and enjoy the uplifting music and dance of a high energy USO style concert. Admission is free. More information.

Kama'aina and Military Day
December 4, 2011, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location - WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument - Pearl Harbor Visitor Center

Kama'aina (Hawaii residents) as well as active and retired military personnel will be treated to a day of special entertainment and historical displays as well as a limited block of USS Arizona Memorial tour tickets on a first-come, first-served basis with proper ID. More information.

Narrated Historic Pearl Harbor Boat Tours
Sunday, December 4, 2011, 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Location - WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument - Pearl Harbor Visitor Center

Pearl Harbor boat tours narrated by National Park Service rangers will take visitors around historic Ford Island. The one-hour tours will give visitors an opportunity to witness many of the notable sites of the 1941 Japanese air raid on Pearl Harbor. Boat tours will depart the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and the program is offered separate from the normal park program. There will be no stop at the USS Arizona Memorial. Seating is limited, advance reservations are recommended by calling (808) 954-8721 . More information.

Sneak Preview and Special Screening of Tora! Tora! Tora! on Blu-Ray
Sunday, December 4, 2011, 6:30 p.m.
Location - WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument - Pearl Harbor Visitor Center

Scheduled for official release on December 6th, in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the special Blu-Ray version of the historic film Tora! Tora! Tora! will feature the extended Japanese cut of the film containing 10 minutes of previously unreleased footage. Admission is free. Seating is first come, first served. More information.

USS Utah Sunset Ceremony
Dec 6, 2011, 5:00 p.m.
Location - USS Utah Memorial, Ford Island

This event requires base access and is only available to Pearl Harbor survivors, military personnel, their families and friends. This sunset ceremony will honor those lost aboard the USS Utah at the USS Utah Memorial on Ford Island. More information.

Pearl Harbor Day 70th Anniversary Commemoration
"The Enduring Legacy"
December 7, 2011, 7:40 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Location - WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument - Pearl Harbor Visitor Center

Pearl Harbor Survivors and World War II Veterans, their families and friends from around the nation will join more than 3,000 distinguished guests and the general public on the backlawn of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center for the annual observance of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Check www.pearlharborevents.com for details on the ceremony, seating and parking, and proper dress code for military and civilians. A limited public tour schedule for tours to the USS Arizona Memorial will be in place on December 7, 2011 following the ceremony.

USS Oklahoma Memorial Commemoration
December 7, 2011. 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Location - Ford Island

The public is invited to attend a special ceremony at the USS Oklahoma (BB-37) Memorial on Ford Island in honor of those who served on the USS Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor. A free shuttle will depart every 15 minutes from the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park which is adjacent to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. More information.

Under a Jarvis Moon Documentary Film Showing
December 8, 2011, 8:00 p.m.
Location - WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument - Pearl Harbor Visitor Center Movie Theaters

Under a Jarvis Moon tells the story of over 130 young men - many recent graduates of Kamehameha Schools - who were sent to occupy Howland, Baker, and Jarvis Islands from 1935 to 1942. Admission is free, seats are limited and available on a first come, first serve basis. More information.

If you are planning a visit to Pearl Harbor I suggest you read our feature Visiting Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial which will help you plan your visit as well as Before You Visit Pearl Harbor which includes links to our numerous articles about the history of Pearl Harbor, the attack of December 7, 1941, and tips on visiting all of the historical attractions at Pearl Harbor.

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