PROJECT 03: Day of Remembrance
February 19th marks a solemn and significant date for the Japanese American community and is commemorated annually by the JACL Alaska Chapter, and JACL chapters nationwide, through Day of Remembrance events. On this day in 1942, Executive Order 9066 was signed, leading to the forced removal and incarceration of over 120,000 Japanese Americans from the West Coast—despite no evidence or charges of espionage or sabotage. Families were uprooted from their homes, jobs, and communities, and imprisoned simply because of their ancestry. The Day of Remembrance honors those affected, reflects on the injustice they endured, and serves as a vital reminder of the need to protect civil liberties and uphold justice for all—especially in times of fear and uncertainty.
Past Day of Remembrance Events
2024
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The Alaska Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) hosted a two-day Day of Remembrance event, commemorating the forced incarceration of over 100,000 Japanese Americans during World War II under Executive Order 9066. Held on February 18–19, 2024, the event featured acclaimed writer and poet Dr. Lawrence Matsuda, whose works explored the legacy of incarceration and the resilience of the Japanese American community. The program began at the Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and continued at Alaska Pacific University, with both in-person and online participation. Sponsored in part by the JACL Legacy Fund, the event served as a powerful opportunity for reflection, education, and dialogue on civil liberties and historical justice.
2019
JACL Alaska Chapter collaborated with the Alaska Jewish Museum during the 2019 Day of Remembrance to feature the Sugihara Exhibit. The exhibit uplifted Chiune Sugihara's legacy as a brave Japanese diplomat who disobeyed official directives to issue transit visas that saved thousands of Jews during the Holocaust.
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2018
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On, February 19, 2018, JACL Alaska hosted a film showing of Greg Chaney's "The Empty Chair" at the Anchorage Public Library.
The Empty Chair Project is a community-led effort in Juneau, Alaska, to honor Japanese Americans who were forcibly removed and incarcerated during World War II, specifically recognizing those from Juneau and the supportive local residents who welcomed them back. Inspired by the symbolic gesture of leaving an empty chair for John Tanaka—Juneau High School’s 1942 valedictorian who was relocated before graduation—the memorial serves as a tribute to the resilience of affected families and the enduring spirit of community. Spearheaded by the Juneau High School Class of 1958 and supported by local residents, the project preserves the memory of this chapter in history and the importance of standing against injustice.
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