On December 7, 1941, the United States was attacked by Imperial Japan at Pearl Harbor, leading to the country’s entrance into World War II. Over the course of the war, 416,000 Americans lost their lives, with an estimated 60 million people dying worldwide. Victory meant the defeat of tyrannies in both Japan and Germany, but also highlighted the mistakes made during the war, such as the internment of Japanese Americans.
Approximately 110,000 Japanese Americans, most of whom were second-generation Americans, were forced into internment camps by President Roosevelt and Earl Warren, despite FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover declaring them loyal. This unjustified deprivation of liberty was a stain on America’s commitment to human rights, despite the country’s role in defeating totalitarian regimes.
The Santa Ana Register, now known as the Orange County Register, was one of the few newspapers that opposed the internment of Japanese Americans, highlighting the enduring patriotism and lack of bitterness shown by many internment camp survivors. The Nisei, sons of the interned, proved their loyalty by serving in highly decorated units during the war.
As we remember the sacrifices made by the Greatest Generation, it is crucial to also acknowledge the mistakes of the past and strive to uphold human rights even in the darkest hours. The legacy of Pearl Harbor serves as a reminder of the importance of learning from history and ensuring that such injustices are never repeated.
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