On December 7, 1941, Japanese air forces bombed Pearl Harbor, a U.S. naval base in Hawaii.  The U.S.S. Arizona was a battleship anchored at Pearl Harbor with other ships from the U.S. navy.  During this attack over 2,390 Americans were killed, 21 ships and 323 aircraft were sunk or damaged.     This attack pushed the United States into World War II. 

          The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial was built to honor those who died in the attack.  The floating memorial was built over the remains of the U.S.S. Arizona where it was sunk.  Many visitors to the memorial drop flower leis into the water to honor the dead.