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Description of Events

Here you'll find a complete description of all the commemorative events taking place the week of December 7th. Please note that some events are not open to the public. For more information on planning your visit, please see our FAQ page.

Rosie the Riveters Poster Signing

  • December 6th from 10:30am to 12:00pm

  • Pearl Harbor National Memorial, outside the Pacific Historic Parks bookstore

  • OPEN to the public

Come meet some of the courageous women - now in their late 90s - who served during World War II as Rosie the Riveters! On December 6th, they'll meet with visitors and sign posters at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, just outside the Pacific Historic Parks bookstore. As many as eight Rosies will attend events for the 82nd Commemoration this year - a record number.

USS Utah Ceremony

  • December 6th at 5:00pm

  • USS Utah Memorial

  • OPEN to the public

  • Visitors must have access to Ford Island (Military or Gov't ID)

The USS Utah Memorial Sunset Ceremony held every year on or around December 7th honors the loss of the USS Utah (AG-16) and 58 of her crew. The USS Utah was the first ship torpedoed in the attack on the Pacific Fleet. Struck by two torpedoes, the ship capsized and sank within 12 minutes.

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony

  • December 7th at 7:30am

  • Pearl Harbor National Memorial

  • OPEN to the public

  • To plan your visit, please see our FAQ page.

On December 7, 1941, just before 8am, a surprise attack on a United States naval base at Pearl Harbor began, killing more than 2,400 Americans. Each year, on this day, Pearl Harbor Survivors, veterans, and visitors from all over the world come together in remembrance and honor. The acts of courage and heroism on that day have shaped the world as we know it. We honor this everlasting legacy now and always.

USS Oklahoma Ceremony

  • December 7th at 1:00pm

  • USS Oklahoma Memorial

  • OPEN to the public

  • Visitors must have access to Ford Island (Military or Gov't ID)

World War II veterans, U.S. and allied service members, friends and family pay tribute to the 429 crew-members of the USS Oklahoma killed Dec. 7, 1941 in the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, during the USS Oklahoma ceremony held every December 7th. The casualties included 415 sailors and 14 Marines, who continued to fight even after the ship was struck by 9 torpedoes, causing it to capsize.  

Partial ash scattering for Jack Holder

  • December 7th at 2:30pm

  • USS Utah Memorial

  • OPEN to the public

  • Visitors must have access to Ford Island (Military or Gov't ID)

A partial ash scattering for Pearl Harbor survivor Jack Holder will be held Dec 7th at 2:30 pm at the USS Utah Memorial. It is open to the public, but visitors will need access to Ford Island in order to attend. Holder died Feb 24, 2023, in Arizona, just months after attending the 81st commemoration of the attack on Pearl Harbor. A memorial service was held in Arizona, and he will be buried with full military honors at Arlington at a date to be determined.  

Blackened Canteen Ceremony

  • December 8th at 4:00pm

  • USS Arizona Memorial

  • NOT OPEN to the public

  • Invitation-only event

On June 20, 1945, during a bombing raid over Shizuoka, Japan, two Army Air Force B-29s collided, killing 23 crewmen. More than 2,000 Shizuoka citizens died as a result of the raid. Local farmer Fukumatsu Ito found a blackened canteen among the wreckage and began an annual ceremony - including a silent prayer and the pouring of bourbon whiskey from the blackened canteen onto the crash site - to honor those killed, both Japanese and American. On the 51st anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, Dr. Hiroya Sugano conducted the first Blackened Canteen Ceremony aboard the USS Arizona Memorial, and since then has attended every December 7th commemoration.  

USS Arizona Live Dive

  • December 9th at 12:00pm

  • Pearl Harbor National Memorial

  • OPEN to the public

  • To plan your visit, please see our FAQ page.

Join us on December 9th as National Park Service divers conduct a live 

dive at the USS Arizona. Visitors can watch the live feed at the Pearl Harbor

National Memorial theater and ask questions during the dive. More details

to come! Watch the 2019 live dive at the USS Arizona here.

Upcoming Events

  • USS Arizona Live Dive
    USS Arizona Live Dive
    Sat, Dec 09
    Honolulu
    Dec 09, 2023, 12:00 PM HST
    Honolulu, 1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA
    Dec 09, 2023, 12:00 PM HST
    Honolulu, 1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA
    More details to come!
  • Blackened Canteen Ceremony
    Blackened Canteen Ceremony
    Fri, Dec 08
    Honolulu
    Dec 08, 2023, 4:00 PM HST
    Honolulu, 1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA
    Dec 08, 2023, 4:00 PM HST
    Honolulu, 1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA
    The Blackened Canteen Ceremony is not open to the public; it is invitation only.
  • Partial ash scattering for Jack Holder
    Partial ash scattering for Jack Holder
    Thu, Dec 07
    USS Utah Memorial
    Dec 07, 2023, 2:30 PM HST
    USS Utah Memorial, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA
    Dec 07, 2023, 2:30 PM HST
    USS Utah Memorial, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA
  • USS Oklahoma Ceremony
    USS Oklahoma Ceremony
    Thu, Dec 07
    USS Oklahoma Memorial
    Dec 07, 2023, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM HST
    USS Oklahoma Memorial, Langley Ave, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA
    Dec 07, 2023, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM HST
    USS Oklahoma Memorial, Langley Ave, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA
    See below for the live stream link!
  • National Pearl Harbor Commemoration Ceremony
    National Pearl Harbor Commemoration Ceremony
    Thu, Dec 07
    Pearl Harbor National Memorial
    Dec 07, 2023, 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM HST
    Pearl Harbor National Memorial, 1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA
    Dec 07, 2023, 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM HST
    Pearl Harbor National Memorial, 1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA
    See below for the live stream link!
  • USS Utah Ceremony
    USS Utah Ceremony
    Wed, Dec 06
    USS Utah Memorial
    Dec 06, 2023, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM HST
    USS Utah Memorial, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA
    Dec 06, 2023, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM HST
    USS Utah Memorial, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA
    See below for the live stream link!
  • Rosie the Riveters Poster Signing
    Rosie the Riveters Poster Signing
    Wed, Dec 06
    Pacific Historic Parks Bookstore
    Dec 06, 2023, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM HST
    Pacific Historic Parks Bookstore, 1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA
    Dec 06, 2023, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM HST
    Pacific Historic Parks Bookstore, 1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA
    Here is your chance to meet women who served in World War II as "Rosie the Riveters" and to have your poster signed!
  • Wreath submission deadline
    Wreath submission deadline
    Wed, Nov 15
    Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
    Nov 15, 2023, 5:00 PM HST
    Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
    Nov 15, 2023, 5:00 PM HST
    Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
    All wreath submissions must be sent in by Nov 15, 2023.
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