Side note, I just reached 2,000 followers! I am pleasantly surprised how many people value Japanese American history and I'm so thankful for your support. From the likes and reposts to the helpful comments, I am grateful for you all. -Footnotes in History

A photograph of the Wanto Co. grocery store in Oakland, CA. The owner, Tatsuro Matsuda, placed a sign reading "I AM AN AMERICAN" on the front of the store on December 8, 1941, the day after the Pearl Harbor raid. The photograph was taken by Dorthea Lange sometime in March 1942. 🗃 #skystorians

#OTD in 1943, WRA Director Dillon S. Myer tells the Dies Subcommittee that the WRA looked into the Tule Lake disturbances before the Army arrived. The WRA did not carry out arrests or punish anyone. A camp steward also made various allegations to the committee, which Myer disputed. 🗃 #skystorians

#OTD in 1943, a WRA bulletin for Japanese Americans relocating to Ohio and Michigan causes controversy. As Japanese Americans helped with the regional farm labor shortage, the bulletin directed them to also convince local farmers to shower daily. 🗃 #skystorians

A photograph of a Japanese American soldier trudging through the snow. The photograph was taken by George Nakamura sometime in 1943. Caption on back: "Y. Ando, Kekaha, Kauai '43" 🗃 #skystorians

#OTD in 1943, WRA Director Dillon S. Myer declares that 25,000 Japanese Americans have been released from the camps and states 65,000 more will follow in the next year. Myers adds that the goal is convince Japanese American families that they can live in safety outside of the camps. 🗃 #skystorians

#OTD in 1943, the US Court of Appeals ruled against Fred Korematsu and his case challenging the legality of Japanese incarceration. The court accepted that "military necessity" overrided personal liberties in a time of war. Still, the case will eventually reach the Supreme Court. 🗃 #skystorians

#OTD in 1943, a resolution calling for a quasi-prisoner swap between Japan and the United States is introduced. The resolution, which originated in California, would have Secretary of State Cordell Hull exchange incarcerated Japanese Americans for American POWs held by Japan. 🗃 #skystorians

A photograph of a group of Japanese Americans at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp in Wyoming. Caption on back: "Send off returning, Dec 1, 1943." The photograph was taken by Yoshio Okumoto. 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

#OTD in 1943, Dr. John T. Mason details his experience during the Tule Lake disturbances. Mason describes being "virtually held captive" and threatened by Japanese American rioters. Afterwards, Mason claimed that WRA Director Dillon S. Myer told the staff to keep the incident quite. 🗃 #skystorians

A photograph of George Nakamura throwing a snowball. Date and location unknown. Caption on back: "Myself in a snowball throwing form. '43" 🗃 #skystorians

A photograph of a Japanese American policeman at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp in Wyoming. Caption on back: "Japanese Policeman Nov 27, 1943 Yoshi Shumato Ht. Mt." The photograph was taken by Yoshio Okumoto. 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

A photograph of nine Japanese American girls at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp in Wyoming. The group poses just outside of a barrack and a snowman can be seen on the left side of the photograph. Caption on front: "November 26, 1944. Heart Mt. Wyoming" 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

A photograph of Henri Takahasi holding two chickens. Caption on back: "11/25/39 Portland Oregon Dear Tomoye me and my two old "hens" ha! Ha! This print (and me) is terribly finished if you ask me." 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

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A photograph of a fourth grade class at the Rohwer incarceration camp in Arkansas. The class, located in Barrack 35-4-B, was taught by Nareen Oura. The photograph was taken by Tom Parker on November 24, 1942. 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

#OTD in 1943, Iris Watanabe of CA becomes the first Japanese American to join the Women's Army Corps. Watanabe's induction into the WAC was also slated for December 7. She was quoted saying, "I hope to help make the land of my ancestors pay for its unwarranted attack on my country." 🗃 #skystorians

A photograph of Paul and Kenji Ima posing with each other on Thanksgiving day. The photograph was taken on November 22, 1945. Caption on front: "Thanksgiving 1945" 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

A photograph of the Manzanar incarceration camp officially closing. "Manzanar is now officially closed. Mr. [Ralph] Merritt addressing the staff that gathered at the gates of Manzanar to witness the departure of the last evacuee from the Center. November 21, 1945." 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

A photograph of a Japanese American soldier standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington DC. Date unknown, the photograph was taken sometime in 1942 or 1943. 🗃 #skystorians

#OTD in 1943, the Seattle Times details the tenacity of Japanese American soldiers in Italy. Despite being injured, Japanese American soldiers frequently refuse to leave the battlefield. A humorous story of an injured surgeon gives readers an example of their gritty attitude. 🗃 #skystorians

A photograph of a WRA car leaving the Manzanar incarceration camp in California. A group of Japanese Americans can be seen waving goodbye to the car. Original caption: "Departure by WRA Escort in Station Wagon en route to Reno." The photograph was taken on November 18, 1943. 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

A photograph of Japanese American students at the Rohwer incarceration camp in Arkansas. The students rush between barracks to get to their respective classes. The photograph was taken by Tom Parker on November 17, 1942. 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

#OTD in 1943, a California Grange representative urged the national convention to endorse the deportation of all Japanese Americans after the war. The rep also promoted placing all the camps under Army control. However, the National Master opposed the deportation resolution. 🗃 #skystorians

#OTD in 1943, Major General David McCouch Jr announces that no firearms or explosives have been found at Tule Lake. Despite persistent rumors, an extensive search has turned up no weapons. McCouch also states that no incidents have taken place at the camp since the Army arrived. 🗃 #skystorians

#OTD in 1943, WRA Director Dillon S. Myer pushes back against reports about the Tule Lake disturbances and called for accurate reporting. Myers described the reports as "exaggerated and even hysterical" and warned that harsh crackdowns could harm American POWs in Japan. 🗃 #skystorians

A photograph of Japanese American soldiers in France. Original WRA caption: "A Japanese-American unit moves out of its old command post. The unit--Company F, 2nd Battalion, 442nd Regiment (Combat Team)--is holding a section of the front lines. St. Die area, France. 11/13/44." 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

Original Caption: "Two Color guards and color bearers of the Japanese-American 442nd Combat Team, stand at attention while their citations are read. They are standing on ground, in the Bruyeres Area, France, where many of their comrades fell. 12 November 1944." 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

#OTD in 1943, an FBI probe investigates the Tule Lake disturbances. The article alleges that knives and bombs were being made at the camp before the Army stepped in. Work strikes continue at the camp, while the last of the "loyal" Japanese Americans leave Tule Lake for other camps. 🗃 #skystorians

#OTD in 1943, Representative Clair Engle calls for placing the Tule Lake incarceration camp under the control of the Army rather than the WRA. Engle and others highlighted the dangers that are rife in the camp, adding that "disloyal" Japanese Americans should be disenfranchised. 🗃 #skystorians

#OTD in 1943, farmers and businessmen in Kent, WA distribute and display signs that state "We Don't Want Any Japs 'Here EVER" to protest the return of any Japanese Americans in the future. Kent's Mayor, Police Chief, and Fire Chief also add their vocal support the movement. 🗃 #skystorians

#OTD in 1943, the Seattle Times reports on a cooperative farm outside of Spokane. The farm, which is sponsored by the Church of the People, is run by Black, White, Japanese, and Chinese Americans. The farm emerged after formerly incarcerated Japanese Americans congregated in Spokane. 🗃 #skystorians

#OTD in 1943, Representative Clair Engle of CA arrived at Tule Lake to investigate the protests. He will be followed by members of the Committee on Un-Amerícan Activities as the disturbances have become national news. 🗃 #skystorians

#OTD in 1943, an editorial in the Seattle Times blasts WRA Director Dillon S. Myer for "coddling" Japanese Americans leading up to the Tule Lake disturbances. The writer alleges that Myer's policies only emboldened the incarcerees and calls for the Army to take over Tule Lake. 🗃 #skystorians

#OTD in 1943, a Seattle Times article reports that the Tule Lake camp remains quiet after armed Army troops arrived. The soldiers used tear gas to scatter the crowds. As of now, 20 Japanese Americans and at least one "civilian" were reportedly injured due to the disturbances. 🗃 #skystorians

#OTD in 1943, two articles in the Seattle Times describe how the unrest at Tule Lake took place and was later quelled by armed soldiers. Japanese Americans at the camp have been on strike for weeks before violence occurred. Despite the presence of troops, tensions remain high. 🗃 #skystorians

#OTD in 1943, WRA Director Dillon S. Myer publicly minimizes an incident that took place at the Tule Lake incarceration camp. On November 1, a number of Japanese Americans protested and made demands of camp leaders before being disbursed. Nevertheless, unrest mounts at Tule Lake. 🗃 #skystorians

A photograph of Japanese American soldiers walking towards a movie theater in New York City. The theater advertises the movie "7 Days Leave," starring Victor Mature and Lucille Ball. Date unknown, the photograph was likely taken sometime in 1942. 🗃 #skystorians

Off topic post, I'm currently updating the postcard collection for my local historical society and I just found out that some old school Valentine's Day cards had swastikas on them. I'm almost certain this was pre-WWII but still very surprising. 🗃 #skystorians

A photograph of two Japanese American soldiers posing in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. Date unknown, the photograph was likely taken by George Nakamura. 🗃 #skystorians

A painting of the Manzanar incarceration camp in California. The piece was painted by Kango Takamura on October 30, 1945. Caption on back: "After the Rain - an abandoned baby cart." 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

#OTD in 1943, WRA officials report that 2,000 Japanese American men are involved in a coordinated strike at the Tule Lake incarceration camp. The men stay in their barracks and silently refuse to harvest crops. In response, Army troops and WRA police closely monitor for any violence. 🗃 #skystorians

#OTD in 1943, WRA Assistant Director Robert B. Cozzens claims that "disloyal" Japanese Americans have refused to harvest crops at the Tule Lake incarceration camp. Cozzens linked the transfer of "disloyal" Japanese from other camps to the initial refusal to work some two weeks prior. 🗃 #skystorians

A photograph of an unnamed Japanese American soldier standing in front of a church. Date and location unknown. 🗃 #skystorians

A photograph of Japanese American soldiers marching through a muddy forest. Original caption: "Bruyeres, France. File of Japanese-American Infantrymen moves past wooded area. 24 Oct 1944." 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

A photograph of a group of Japanese American soldiers marching through rural France. Original caption: "France. A Japanese-American Combat Team moves through town. 23 Oct 1944." 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

Original caption: "Three Japanese-American soldiers look down on the French Valley in the Bruyere Sector of France from a hill that was under heavy morter and shell fire. Trees in foreground show the effects of the shelling. 22 Oct 1944." 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

#OTD in 1943, the Seattle Times reports that journalist Bill Hosokawa was hired by the Des Moines Register after leaving Heart Mountain. The job is significant as Nisei were historically excluded from many industries. Hosokawa would later became a notable writer and journalist. 🗃 #skystorians

A photograph of a Japanese American bride and groom along with their wedding party. Caption on photograph: "October 20, 1940 / Mr. & Mrs. C. Koito" 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

A photograph of an unnamed Japanese American soldier on the roof of the Empire State Building in New York City. Date unknown, the photograph was likely taken by George Nakamura. 🗃 #skystorians