š Remembering OurĀ History
Every year onĀ December 15th, we celebrateĀ Bill of Rights Day. The Bill of Rights is important not only in the freedoms it protects but in its demonstration of America's enduring commitment to self-improvement and striving to continuously form a more perfect union.Ā Three-fourthsĀ of the existing state legislatures ratified the firstĀ 10Ā Amendments of the Constitution onĀ December 15, 1791. Since then,Ā 17Ā additional Amendments have been ratified for a total ofĀ 27Ā Amendments to the Constitution.
Learn More
š Did You Know?Ā The Constitution might never have been ratified if the framers had not promised to add a Bill of Rights, according to the National Archives. The firstĀ 10Ā amendments to the Constitution gave citizens more confidence in the new government and contain many of today's Americans most valued freedoms.
Visit theĀ Stats for Stories page on census.govĀ to learn more about Bill of Rights Day and the First Amendment.
OnĀ December 7th, 1941, the Empire of Japan attacked the military installations in and around Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The attack killedĀ 103Ā civilians andĀ 2,335Ā military personnel, includingĀ 2,008Ā Navy seamen (1,177Ā from the USS Arizona alone),Ā 109Ā Marines, andĀ 218Ā Army personnel. Japanese pilots and submariners damagedĀ 19Ā ships and damaged or destroyed more thanĀ 300Ā aircraft. However, as devastating as the attack first appeared,Ā only three shipsāthe USS Arizona (BB-39), Oklahoma (BB-37), and Utah (AG-16)āwere complete losses.
Learn More
OnĀ December 8th, President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed a joint session of Congress, calling the attack on Pearl Harbor "a date which will live in infamy."Ā One hourĀ later, Congress passed a formal declaration of war against Japan by a vote ofĀ 82-0Ā in the Senate andĀ 388-1Ā in the House of Representatives. The United States joined the AlliesāGreat Britain, France, Russiaāon land, sea, and in the air to defeat the Axis powers that included Japan, Germany, and Italy.
As we mark National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we honor the patriots who perished, commemorate the valor of all those who defended our nation, and recommit ourselves to carrying forth the ensuing peace and reconciliation that brought a better future for our world.