Day of Remembrance
Wing Luke Museum Collection 2007.016.005
February 19 marks the Day of Remembrance, an annual observance of the signing of Executive Order 9066 and the incarceration of people of Japanese ancestry into U.S. concentration camps during World War II. Seattle activists organized the first Day of Remembrance on November 25, 1978. These photos by Yaz Yambe show participants re-enacting the removal of the Seattle Japanese American community to the Puyallup Assembly Center, known by the euphemism “Camp Harmony.” Over 2,200 people registered in Seattle, completing tags with identification numbers similar to those required by families in World War II. Artist Frank Fujii created the Day of Remembrance barbed wire symbol.
What will you do to observe the Day of Remembrance? Here are 3 ideas:
Explore Seattle’s Japantown, including art installations in Nihonmachi Alley. Support local Japantown businesses. #JapantownSeattle
Join in the Wing Luke Museum’s Day of Remembrance virtual programs on Saturday, February 20, including the INS Building virtual tour (https://25646p.blackbaudhosting.com/25646p/INS-Building?_ga=2.238147209.885249937.1613579282-520450154.1612214614) and “We Hereby Refuse” book celebration (http://www.wingluke.org/single-exhibit/?mep_event=4842).
Visit the JACL Day of Remembrance webpage for events held throughout the country (https://jacl.org/events/day-of-remembrance/).