In the last moment of peace in America, Oahu awoke on another beautiful Hawaiian morning. Some were driving to work (this being Sunday, plenty of military personnel reported to their posts); others were enjoying their first cup of coffee. And then the torpedoes rained down on Pearl Harbor, launching America into WW II. “December 7th, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy,” said President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Don’t miss this poignant piece of American history, on which people mourn the 2,402 who died on that fateful day.
Over 4,000 people a day visit the USS Arizona still in it’s watery home, which is clearly visible from the memorial above. A 23-minute documentary film about the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor precedes a boat trip to the site. Your family will never forget the experience of standing on the Arizona Memorial and seeing the wall of names; it’s particularly poignant to watch as visitors toss lei’s into the water in memory of those who died.
To help your children understand the significance of the Pearl Harbor attack, learn together by reading aloud “A Boy at War: A Novel of Pearl Harbor.” This is appropriate for kids ages 12 and over and mature fifth graders.
Open seven days a week from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed: Thanksgiving Day, December 25 and January 1. Free. First-come, first-served. Expect some wait time on crowded days. Plan for a three-hour delay during summer months.
