The TRAVELER'S JOURNAL: December seventh, remembering the original day of infamy.

Organized and founded by author Steven Ambrose, the National DDay Museum opened in New Orleans on June 6, 2000, 56 years to the day after the invasion of Normandy. Exhibits and archives in the renovated, four-story, 19th-century warehouse on Magazine Street chronicle the people and events of World War II.

Today, 60 years after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the museum is unveiling its second permanent display. Dedicated to the War in the Pacific, the 5000-square-foot gallery combines photos, artifacts, maps, newspapers, interactive touch screens and oral histories to reveal how different this campaign was from the one fought in Europe. A 200-foot-long serpentine time line and giant animated map of the Pacific Theater summarize the strategies, battles and amphibious assaults during the 44 months from Pearl Harbor to Hiroshima.

The new exhibit is being celebrated with a full weekend of events. Church bells rang across New Orleans at 7:55 this morning to commemorate the moment of the attack on Pearl Harbor. A Pacific Victory Parade and Aerial Review honoring veterans will end at the Convention Center, where a two day "Gathering of the Eagles" will be held. It's a reunion of WWII vets and a Pacific War film festival to which the public is cordially invited. Both events are free, as are battleship tours at the Riverfront and, on Saturday, two amphibious assault reenactments. A USO dance will be held Saturday night.

Even if you can't make it this weekend, the DDay Museum offers a poignant perspective anytime you find yourself in New Orleans. FMI For National DDay Musueum, 504-527-6012 or www.ddaymuseum.org

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