Gov. Jay Nixon on Monday reminded Missourians that a 1996 state law directs officials at all state and local government buildings to fly both the U.S. and Missouri flags at half-staff on Dec. 7.
Wednesday marks the 70th anniversary of the Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
The state law designates the date as "Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day," commemorating those who died or were wounded in the early Sunday morning attack in 1941.
"On this 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, it is appropriate to both remember and honor those who died that day," Nixon said.
"Like many other turning points in American history, this attack stirred the resolve of our nation into action."
The governor noted the surprise attacks also resulted in hundreds of thousands of other Americans sacrificing on battlefields around the world during World War II, ultimately defeating the fascist Axis powers in Europe and Japanese imperialism in the Pacific.
"Those are lessons we must not forget," Nixon said.