Updated Feb. 19, 2024 at 12:40 p.m.
Executive Order 9066 was an order issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 19, 1942, during World War II. The order authorized the Secretary of War to prescribe certain areas as military zones, and to exclude any or all persons from those areas.
Get This Happened straight to your inbox ✉️ each day! Sign up here.
Why was Executive Order 9066 issued?
Executive Order 9066 was issued as a response to the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan on December 7, 1941. The order was issued out of fear that Japanese-Americans and other people of Asian descent living in the United States would be a security threat to the country during the war.
Who was affected by Executive Order 9066?
Executive Order 9066 affected over 120,000 Japanese-Americans and other people of Asian descent living in the United States. They were forcibly removed from their homes and interned in camps for the duration of the war.
What happened to the Japanese-Americans and other people of Asian descent after the internment?
After the internment, many Japanese-Americans and other people of Asian descent faced difficulty in rebuilding their lives and communities. Many lost their homes and businesses, and faced discrimination and prejudice. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act, which provided an official apology and reparations to Japanese-Americans and other people of Asian descent who were interned during World War II.