A Timeline of The Japanese Internment

The Attack on Pearl Harbor

Dec 7, 1941

Pearl Harbor is bombed by the Japanese. This causes suspicion to rise in Americans against Japanese Americans.

The United States declares war on Japan

Dec 8, 1941

Executive Order 9066 is created

Feb 19, 1942

Franklin D. Roosevelt issues Executive Order 9066. This order allowed the creation of military zones and permitted the removal or detainment of people in these zones.

Military Areas are Formed, Japanese are Filtered Out

Mar 2, 1942

The states in the Pacific coast are made into military areas and Japanese-Americans are told to leave them and move into any other states.

WRA is Formed via Executive Order 9102

Mar 18, 1942

Manzanar, CA Camp Opens

Mar 21, 1942

First Removal of Japanese Americans

Mar 22, 1942

Poston, AZ Camp Opens

May 8, 1942

Tule Lake, CA Camp Opens

May 27, 1942

Gila River, AZ Camp Opens

Jul 20, 1942

Minidoka, ID Camp Opens

Aug 10, 1942

Heart Mountain, WY Camp Opens

Aug 12, 1942

Amache, CO Camp Opens

Aug 24, 1942

Topaz, UT Camp Opens

Sep 11, 1942

Rohwer, AR Camp Opens

Sep 18, 1942

Jerome, AR Camp Opens

Oct 6, 1942

Jerome, AR Camp Closes

Jun 30, 1944

Public Law 78-405 - Citizenship Renouncement

Jul 1, 1944

FDR signs Public Law 78-405, which allows someone to renounce their citizenship.

WRA Announces Closing of Relocation Centers

Dec 18, 1944

Harry S. Truman Elected

Apr 12, 1945

Japan Formally Surrenders

Sep 2, 1945

Amache Camp, CO Closes

Oct 15, 1945

Minidoka, ID Camp Closes

Oct 28, 1945

Topaz, UT Camp Closes

Oct 31, 1945

Gila River, AZ Camp Closes

Nov 10, 1945

Heart Mountain, WY Camp Closes

Nov 10, 1945

Manzanar, CA Camp Closes

Nov 21, 1945

Poston, AZ Camp Closes

Nov 28, 1945

Rohwer, AR Camp Closes

Nov 30, 1945

Tule Lake, CA Camp Closes

Mar 20, 1946

Japanese-American Claims Act

Jul 2, 1948