Historical Documents

Primary source documents relating to the Japanese American internment during World War II. Following Executive Order 9066, Lieutenant General J.L. DeWitt issued a series of Civilian Exclusion Orders targeting different geographic areas along the West Coast.

EXECUTIVE ORDER 9066

The White House
"

NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States, and Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of War, and the Military Commanders whom he may from time to time designate, whenever he or any designated Commander deems such action necessary or desirable, to prescribe military areas in such places and of such extent as he or the appropriate Military Commander may determine, from which any or all persons may be excluded, and with respect to which, the right of any to enter, remain in, or leave shall be subject to whatever restrictions the Secretary of War or the appropriate Military Commander may impose in his discretion...

Source: Franklin D. Roosevelt, The White House. Executive Order 9066. Washington, D.C. February 19, 1942.

INSTRUCTIONS TO ALL PERSONS OF JAPANESE ANCESTRY

Western Defense Command and Fourth Army Wartime Civil Control Administration
Civilian Exclusion Order No. 5 - Page 1
Civilian Exclusion Order No. 5 (Northern California), Page 1 - Instructions to all persons of Japanese ancestry
Civilian Exclusion Order No. 5 - Page 2
Civilian Exclusion Order No. 5 (Northern California), Page 2 - Detailed instructions and requirements
Source: Lieutenant General J.L. DeWitt, Commanding General, Western Defense Command and Fourth Army

INSTRUCTIONS TO ALL PERSONS OF JAPANESE ANCESTRY

Western Defense Command and Fourth Army Wartime Civil Control Administration
Civilian Exclusion Order No. 82 - Page 1
Civilian Exclusion Order No. 82 (San Francisco), Page 1 - Instructions to all persons of Japanese ancestry
Civilian Exclusion Order No. 82 - Page 2
Civilian Exclusion Order No. 82 (San Francisco), Page 2 - Detailed instructions and requirements
Source: Lieutenant General J.L. DeWitt, Commanding General, Western Defense Command and Fourth Army

Letter of Apology to Japanese Americans

The White House
President Clinton's Letter of Apology to Japanese Americans
Official letter of apology from President Bill Clinton to Japanese Americans who were incarcerated during World War II
Source: William J. Clinton, The White House. Letter of Apology to Japanese Americans. Washington, D.C. October 1, 1993.
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