President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden visited the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to mark the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The Bidens observed a wreath decorated with sunflowers, which was there to honor the late Republican Sen. Bob Dole, who served in the war and sustained life-threatening injuries.

Jill Biden placed a bouquet by the New Jersey memorial to honor her father, who served in the Navy during the war.

"As we mark National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we honor the patriots who perished, commemorate the valor of all those who defended our nation, and recommit ourselves to carrying forth the ensuing peace and reconciliation that brought a better future for our world," Joe Biden posted on Twitter.

Hundreds of Japanese fighter planes descended on the Honolulu military base on Dec. 7, 1941. The attacks destroyed 20 naval vessels, eight battleships, and 300 airplanes. More than 2,400 Americans died and it prompted the U.S. to enter World War II.

The day after the attack, President Franklin Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan. He referred to Dec. 7 as a “date which will live in infamy.”

American intelligence officials initially believed Japan would attack the Dutch East Indies, Singapore, or Indochina and were stunned when they attacked Pearl Harbor, which proved to be an easy target. The war in the Pacific lasted almost four years and resulted in 111,606 U.S casualties and 1.8 million Japanese casualties.

Japan surrendered in 1945 after nuclear bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

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