“Remembering Pearl Harbor”

Thursday marks a somber day for Americans as we reflect and commemorate the 76th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. In D.C., there will be an observance held at the World War II Memorial at 12:53 p.m. and a ceremonial wreath laying at the Navy Memorial at 1 p.m. The tragic events that transpired in the early morning hours of Dec. 7, 1941, would change the course of history and thrust the United States into World War II. More than 300 Japanese airplanes attacked the naval base near Honolulu, Hawaii, just before 8 a.m. that Sunday. The attack delivered a major blow to the nation’s Pacific Fleet, killing more than 2,400 Americans, wiping out more than 300 airplanes and destroying or seriously damaging nearly 20 ships. The following day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan. “Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan,” Today, Pearl Harbor draws more than 1. 8 million visitors per year as people visit the USS Arizona Memorial, which marks the final resting place for 1,102 out of the 1,177 sailors and Marines killed on the battleship during the attack.

In Other News The House approved a bill on Wednesday that would ease legal restrictions for carrying concealed firearms across state lines – a move pushed by the National Rifle Association that comes just weeks after mass shootings in Las Vegas and Texas. The reciprocity measure would allow a gun owner with the proper permit in any state to carry a concealed firearm to another state where it is also legal. The bill now goes to the Senate, where it is likely to encounter a much tougher battle. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., plans to announce his resignation on Thursday. If Franken resigns, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, a Democrat, would appoint Franken's successor, who would serve until a special election is held in 2018. The winner of that special election would serve out the remainder of Franken's term until 2020, MPR also reported. On Wednesday, more than half of the Democrats in the Senate, including party leadership called for Franken to step down amid allegations that he inappropriately touched several women.