This year again, the President of the United States has proclaimed December 7 as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Today, Americans here in Estonia and around the world observe this solemn day of remembrance and honoring our military, both past and present.

On the morning of December 7, 1941, Japanese forces carried out a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. In total, over 2,400 personnel were killed, and the United States on the next day declared war on Japan and entered World War II. By 1945 and the end of World War II, after tremendous human sacrifices, the United States and its allies nations had prevailed.

December 7 lives on in all Americans as a vivid reminder of the need to remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies against any and all enemies - and to prevail.

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