Navy Region Hawaii will hold a bell ringing ceremony Friday at the World War II Valor in the Pacific Monument at the USS Arizona visitor’s center to mark the Navy’s 239th birthday.

The keynote speaker will be Rear Adm. Willie Metts, director of intelligence at the U.S. Pacific Command. The ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m. and is open to the public.

The USS Arizona bell will be rung nine times to mark the changing of the watch and the beginning of the Navy’s 240th year.

The Navy was established on Oct. 13, 1775 by the Continental Congress.

In 1972 Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo Zumwalt authorized Oct. 13 as the Navy’s birthday to encourage a Navy-wide celebration of the occasion.