December 7, 1941 is without a doubt a date that will live in infamy. The attack on Pearl Harbor brought the United States into World War II, and took the lives of many American sailors. Though over 70 years have passed since the event, there are all types of guided tours in Pearl Harbor; Pearl Harbor tours are actually among the most common types of group tours in Hawaii.
Oahu is the third largest island on Hawaii, and has been known as “the Gathering Place” although the term in Oahu has no confirmed meaning in Hawaiian other than as a proper noun representing the place itself. Hawaii is one of the top tourist destinations in the United States because of its rich history and pristine beaches. However, one of the main things to do on any trip to Hawaii is to make a Pearl Harbor visit.
One thing you will hear on any Pearl Harbor tour is information about the U.S.S. Arizona. Interestingly, an 184-foot-long memorial structure of the U.S.S. Arizona spans the mid-portion of the sunken battleship and consists of three main sections: the entry room; the assembly room, a central area designed for ceremonies and general observation; and the shrine room, where the names of those killed on the Arizona are engraved on the marble wall.
Amazingly, there were 37 sets of brothers assigned to the U.S.S. Arizona on December 7, 1941. Pearl Harbor was certainly among the darker days in U.S. history, although the location and the actual event are a big part of any visit to Hawaii. The next time you visit Hawaii, you should at least check out the site known as Pearl Harbor, and make take in a Pearl Harbor tour.