Pearl Harbor 80th anniversary: FDR’s edits to his ‘infamy’ speech
President Roosevelt made handwritten modifications to the dictated and typewritten first draft of his Declaration of War against Japan.
STAFF VIDEO, USA TODAY
The American flag should be flown at half-staff Sunday, Dec. 7, for Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
Flags across Michigan and the United States should be flown at half-staff to honor those killed during the attack in Hawaii in 1941.
President Trump is expected to issue a proclamation for the flag to be flown at half-staff in accordance to Public Law 103-308.
What happened at Pearl Harbor?
In 1941, Japanese forces attacked a U.S. naval base in Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The attack marked the entry of theUnited States into World War II.
More than 2,000 Americans were killed and more than 1,000 injured, according to the statute establishing Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
More than 300 planes and 20 ships were destroyed, according to history.com.
After the attack, the U.S. declared war on Japan and officially entered WWII.
How long should flags fly at half-staff for Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day?
Flags should be flown at half-staff on Sunday, Dec. 7, from sunrise to sunset.
How to correctly fly your flag at half-staff
On days when the flag is flown at half-staff, it should first be raised “briskly” to the top of the pole for an instant and then lowered slowly to the half-staff position, according to the U.S. Flag Code.
Before lowering the flag, it should again be raised to the top before being lowered for the day.
Do flags fly at half-mast or half-staff?
On ships and at naval stations ashore, flags are flown at half-mast.
On shore, flags are flown at half-staff.
What is Public Law 103-308: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
In accordance to Public Law 103-308 President Trump should issue a proclamation for the American flag to be flown at half-staff on Sunday, Dec. 7, in honor of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
Approved by Congress on Aug. 23, 1994, Public Law 103-308 designated Dec. 7 of each year as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. The law authorized and requested the president to:
- Issue annually a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities; and
- Urge all federal agencies, and interested organizations, groups, and individuals, to fly the flag of the UnitedStates at half-staff” each Dec. 7 in honor of the those who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor.
Will Gov. Whitmer issue an order to fly flags at half staff?
Yes, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will issue an order to fly flags at half staff in Michigan.
State officials announce which days to fly Michigan and U.S. flags at half staff online. You also can sign up for notifications about flag honors.
The flag is always lowered to half staff on the following days by Whitmer:
- Peace Officers Memorial Day: May 15 — half staff from sunrise to sunset; except when Peace Officers Memorial Day falls on Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in May)
- Memorial Day: Last Monday in May — the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon, then raised to the top of the staff.
- Patriot Day: Sept. 11
- National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: Dec. 7
When flags are lowered to half staff, Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments, and other organizations are encouraged to display the flag at half staff.
