Washington, Dec 8 (IANS/EFE): Nearly 100 World War II veterans gathered in Honolulu, Hawaii, to observe the 73rd anniversary of the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Of the eight survivors of the attack that led to the US's entry into the war who are still alive, four travelled to Hawaii Sunday to take part in the annual ceremony despite their advanced years.

John Delmar Anderson, Lauren Fay Bruner, Louis A. Conter and Donald Gay Stratton, all in their 90s, poured a toast to their shipmates in arms and drank from the original champagne glasses from the attacked naval base to honour those who lost their lives in the attack, Hawaii News Now reported.

Dec 7, 1941, Japanese planes bombed the US naval base and nearby army air fields at Pearl Harbor, killing over 2,400 people.

The next day, the US declared war on Japan, which in turn caused Japanese allies Germany and Italy, to declare war against the US.

"On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we pay tribute to the souls lost 73 years ago, we salute those who responded with strength and courage in service of our nation, and we renew our dedication to the ideals for which they so valiantly fought," US President Barack Obama said in a proclamation Friday.