University of Arizona

Everyone is welcome to visit Special Collections without an appointment from 9 am - 5 pm, Mon - Fri. Note that beginning April 1st, our hours will be 9 am - 4 pm

Remembering U.S.S. Arizona at UA

Remembering U.S.S. Arizona at UA

This Sunday (December 7), designated by Congress in 1994, is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, a day to remember and honor those who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941, the Japanese Imperial Navy attacked a naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii killing 2,400 Americans and sinking or damaging many ships including the U.S.S Arizona. Besides being named for our state, the U.S.S Arizona has a significant presence at the UA. If you make your way across campus to the Student Union Memorial Center you may occasional hear the ringing of a bell.  Donated by Bill Bowers, a UA alumnus, this bell was one of two salvaged from the U.S.S Arizona in 1941.  It is rung each year in honor of the National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. AZ 517, the U.S.S Arizona collection is housed in Special Collections and contains papers, photographs and memorabilia of the U.S.S Arizona from its christening to its sinking and from the memorial ceremonies held at the UA student union each year. A selection of photographs and documents from this collection is on display in a memorial exhibit in the U.S.S Arizona Lounge in the Student Union Memorial Center.  Some materials are also available in an online exhibit. Last year Lauren Bruner, a U.S.S Arizona survivor viewed the archival material available in Special Collections.-Lisa Duncan

Moving the U.S.S. Arizona Bell from Museum to Student Union August 1951