Why are American flags at half-staff in Florida on Dec. 7?

In accordance with public law established in 1994, Dec. 7 was established as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

Flags across Florida and the United States should be flown at half-staff to honor those killed during the attack in Hawaii in 1941.

What happened at Pearl Harbor?

In 1941, Japanese forces attacked a U.S. naval base in Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. They wanted to destroy the U.S. Pacific Fleet so America would not be able to fight back when Japanese forces moved across the South Pacific.

Just after 8 a.m., Japanese planes flew over Pearl Harbor and attacked the ships below. The USS Arizona was hit by a 1,800-pound bomb, which sank the exploding ship and killed over 1,000 men, according to a History Channel account of the attack.

The USS Oklahoma, USS California, USS West Virginia, USS Utah, USS Maryland, USS Pennsylvania, USS Tennessee and USS Nevada were also significantly damaged in the attacks. More than 300 planes and 20 ships were destroyed.

After the attack, the U.S. declared war on Japan and officially entered WWII.

1941 attack on Pearl Harbor: How many people died in Pearl Harbor? What to know about the casualties in 1941 attack.

How many people died at Pearl Harbor?

A total of 2,403 people died after the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, according to the National WWII Museum and Census Bureau.

Members of the Navy made up the largest number of casualties, with 2,008 lives lost. The rest of the total comes from the Army and Marines, as well as 68 civilians killed.

Another 1,178 people were wounded in the attack.

What to know about 1941 attack: How many people died in Pearl Harbor? What to know about the casualties in 1941 attack.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis directs flags to fly at half-staff

DeSantis sent a memorandum about Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Wednesday to Brian Fienemann, director of real estate management and development.

The proclamation directed "flags of the United States and the State of Florida to be flown at half-staff at all local and state buildings, installations, and grounds throughout the State of Florida on Thursday, December 7, 2023."

"We remember the lives lost on that fateful day and honor the brave veterans of World War II who fought for our great Nation," DeSantis wrote.

Across the US, flags to fly at half-staff Dec. 7 in remembrance of Pearl Harbor

The flag of the United States should be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the federal government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its territories and possessions from sunrise to sunset Dec. 7.

Flags should also be flown at half-staff at all U.S. embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

Biden also urged all "federal agencies, "interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff on Dec. 7, 2023, in honor of those American patriots who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor."

Remembrance Day honors the memory of those killed at Pearl Harbor

"On this day 82 years ago, 2,403 service members and civilians were killed in a painful and unprovoked attack on our Armed Forces," President Joe Biden wrote in a proclamation issued Dec. 6.

"On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we remember these women and men, who gave their last full measure of devotion to our Nation.  We honor the brave service members who — with the horrors of Pearl Harbor weighing on their hearts and the hopes of humanity resting on their shoulders — answered the call to defend freedom against the forces of fascism during World War II."

"As we honor the patriots who perished on this tragic day 82 years ago and the service members who defended democracy in the days and years that followed, let us carry forward their mission of forging a better future for humankind, one of greater dignity, opportunity, and security for all.

"Let us remember that we are the United States of America — and there is nothing beyond our capacity if we do it together."

What is Public Law 103-308: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

In accordance to Public Law 103-308 President Biden should issue a proclamation for the American flag to be flown at half-staff on Thursday, 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:

President Biden's 2023 proclamation: 'Let us commemorate the patriots who were wounded and who perished on Dec. 7, 1941'

• 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.

Is it 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.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Flags to fly half-staff to honor those killed at Pearl Harbor 1941