President Roosevelt signed the order that led to the forced relocation and internment of some 120,000 Japanese Americans — most of them U.S. citizens — into camps during World War II. Decades later the government formally apologized and paid reparations, acknowledging it as a grave injustice driven by "race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership."
Common Questions About February 19
What happened on February 19 in American history?
In 1942: Executive Order 9066. President Roosevelt signed the order that led to the forced relocation and internment of some 120,000 Japanese Americans — most of them U.S.
Why is February 19 significant?
President Roosevelt signed the order that led to the forced relocation and internment of some 120,000 Japanese Americans — most of them U.S. citizens — into camps during World War II. Decades later the government formally apologized and paid reparations, acknowledging it as a grave injustice driven by "race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership."
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