Chicago Day of Remembrance - February 15, 2009

The Japanese American Citizen's League (JACL) sent me an email about their upcoming commoration of the internment camps during WWII. I believe this is an important event in the history of Asian Americans for a variety of reasons. In most American history books, there is usually either a small sentence and/or paragraph, describing what had happened to Japanese Americans during WWII. And unfortunately, that is what most young folks in the U.S. grow up knowing about Asian Americans and their historical contributions. When in fact, there are way more contributions and historical significance with Asian Americans than most American history books mention. Just because something is a 'fact', doesn't mean it's 'objective'. And it's also more important to pay attention to what is NOT being written down in history books too.

This is an opportunity to learn more about what took place during the internment

COMMEMORATING THE JAPANESE AMERICAN INTERNMENT DURING WORLD WAR II


February 15, 2009
Chicago History Museum
1601 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL
2 p.m.

An event commemorating the World War II internment of Japanese Americans will be held at the Chicago History Museum on Sunday, April 15, 2009 at 2pm. This Day of Remembrance is annually sponsored by major organizations in the Japanese American community in Chicago. On February 19, 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which led to the forcible internment of approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans in concentration camps during World War II. The Day of Remembrance program will recognize former internees who testified about their experiences before a federal commission hearing held in Chicago in 1981. The program will feature the recollection of these individuals, a new video on the hearings and a panel of young people who will reflect on this history.

The Day of Remembrance is sponsored by the Japanese American Citizens League, Japanese American Service Committee and the Chicago Japanese American Historical Society. Free admission and open to the public.

For information:
Bill Yoshino
Japanese American Citizens League
773.728.7170 or Midwest@jacl.org