The battleship USS Missouri is commemorating both her 1944 launch and her Pearl Harbor memorial anniversary with a day-long celebration. Living History Day is Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Battleship Missouri Memorial at Pearl Harbor.

Scheduled events include military displays of vehicles, weapons and memorabilia, as well as exhibits from active-duty units. Military bands, swing dancers, and re-enactors dressed in period clothing recreate popular sights and sounds from the post-war era. The visitor experience is enhanced with tours of the ship, oral presentations about her history, and a flyover by vintage aircraft.

This celebration marks the 71st anniversary since the Missouri (BB-63) was christened Jan. 29, 1944, by Margaret Truman, whose father was Harry S. Truman. Construction began Jan. 6, 1941, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard along the East River. She was an Iowa-class battleship and the third one to have the name USS Missouri. Her length of 887.2 feet long was approximately that of three football fields.

The USS Missouri served in World War II in the Pacific Theater, the Korean War, and in the Persian Gulf. However, this battleship is well-known for her non-combatant role which officially signaled the end of World War II. Her deck was the place where the Allies accepted the surrender of the Empire of Japan, Sept. 2, 1945, in Tokyo Bay. General Douglas MacArthur and Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz were among those present to witness the signing of the Instrument of Surrender.

Following the signing, she returned to Pearl Harbor for a reception held in late September, then arrived in New York Harbor in time for the Oct. 27, 1945, Navy Day celebration. President Truman, who was from the state of Missouri, boarded the battleship accompanied by a 21-gun salute.

The Missouri, or “Mighty Mo,” was decommissioned twice during her career. The first time was Feb. 26, 1955, following the Korean War. She was recommissioned in May 1986 and served in the Gulf War. Her second decommission was Mar. 31, 1992 but she remained a registered naval vessel until January 1995. She was moved to Pearl Harbor in 1998 and officially opened as a museum, Jan. 29, 1999.

Some exhibits aboard the ship are spaces that have been restored to show visitors what conditions were like while at sea. Generations of crew members have contributed artifacts to the “crew’s room.” Others focus on the history of the U.S. Navy and the Missouri crew during the Korean War. A plaque onboard commemorates the signing of the surrender documents.

As a museum ship, the USS Missouri is dedicated to teaching about the past and preparing students for the future. Her extensive educational outreach includes math, science, technology, and engineering programs. Programs are available that teach the history of navigation from traditional methods to modern GPS technology.

Living History Day is designed so that the battleship USS Missouri can easily commemorate her 1944 launch and her 1999 opening as a museum ship at the Pearl Harbor memorial. Activities onboard and on the pier are designed to cover all aspects of her years of service. Staff, volunteers and former crew members welcome questions. Directions to the Battleship Missouri Memorial are available on the website.