As the World War II generation passes, so do memories. December 7th used to be a day people flew their flags and delayed doing business in order to remember and honor the event that drew the United States into World War II.
USS Arizona burning after attack National Arichives.jpg
The USS Arizona was in the harbor, was bombed and sank. It is now a memorial. The Arizona was built in 1915 and at the time was the largest ship in the United States fleet.
She went to war in Europe in “the war to end all wars”, World War I. She led the victorious American fleet back to New York in 1919.
The USS Arizona went through extensive updating in the 1930’s and remained a key ship in the United States Pacific fleet.
When Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese on December 7, 1941, the result was devastating. Most of the United States Pacific fleet was destroyed. The next day, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), declared war on Japan.
We should remember Pearl Harbor and those who fought for the America we know today. You can read more about Pearl Harbor at the National Archives and see pictures, maps and more at the United States Navy Archives.
USS Arizona dec 6 1941 Photo courtesy of David Valenzuela’s Battleship Arizona Book Pics via flickr.com.jpg
USS Arizona exploding, view from Japanese aircraft Dec 7 1941 USN photo # 80-G-30552, courtesy of the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, via flickr.com.jpg
You can Learn more about the USS Arizona and see the magnificent Silver Service used on the ship by visiting the Arizona State Museum at the Arizona State Capitol.