Deaths on March 30

Fred Korematsu, American political activist (b. 1919)

In the annals of American civil rights, the name Fred Toyosaburo Korematsu stands as a powerful symbol of resistance and the pursuit of justice. Born on January 30, 1919, Korematsu was an American citizen whose life took an extraordinary turn during one of the nation's most challenging periods: World War II. His courageous stand against the wrongful internment of Japanese Americans ultimately reshaped the landscape of civil liberties in the United States, earning him lasting recognition as a pivotal civil rights activist.

A Stand Against Injustice: Resisting Internment

The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by the Imperial Japanese Navy plunged the United States into World War II and, tragically, fueled widespread fear and xenophobia against Japanese Americans. In response, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066 on February 19, 1942. This sweeping order authorized the forced removal and mandatory imprisonment of individuals of Japanese ancestry from their homes along the West Coast, regardless of their citizenship or loyalty, into desolate incarceration camps. While many complied under duress, Fred Korematsu, then a young man residing in Oakland, California, made the brave and principled decision to defy these unconstitutional orders. He became a fugitive, choosing to remain in his home, a profound act of resistance that would lead him to become a central figure in a landmark legal battle against the U.S. government.

The Supreme Court Challenge: Korematsu v. United States

Korematsu's steadfast resistance led to his arrest and subsequent conviction. His case, Korematsu v. United States, eventually reached the highest court in the land. In 1944, the Supreme Court of the United States, in a deeply controversial 6-3 decision, upheld the legality of Roosevelt's Executive Order 9066. The Court's majority declared that the forced removal and detention were a military necessity, a decision that has since been widely criticized as a severe miscarriage of justice and a stain on American jurisprudence. This ruling set a dangerous precedent for civil liberties during times of national crisis, where racial prejudice overshadowed constitutional rights and due process, but Korematsu's unwavering pursuit of justice illuminated this dark chapter in American history.

Decades of Vindication: Overturning a Wrongful Conviction

The fight for justice for Fred Korematsu did not end with the Supreme Court's initial ruling. Four decades later, a remarkable turn of events unfolded. In 1983, Korematsu's conviction for evading internment was officially overturned by a U.S. District Court in San Francisco. This momentous decision came after the disclosure of compelling new evidence: crucial government documents, which had been deliberately withheld from the courts during the war, revealed that there was no actual military necessity for the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans. This powerful evidence exposed the government's deception and underscored that Korematsu had been unjustly targeted, marking a significant victory for civil rights and confirming his courageous stance was right all along.

Enduring Legacy: Condemnation and Commemoration

The reverberations of Korematsu's case continued to echo through American jurisprudence. Seventy-four years after the initial ruling, the original Korematsu v. United States decision itself was formally and unequivocally condemned by the Supreme Court in Trump v. Hawaii, 585 U.S. ___ (2018). While the court did not explicitly overturn Korematsu, it declared the legal reasoning behind it "gravely wrong the day it was decided," effectively discrediting its foundational premise and signaling a final, unequivocal repudiation of its constitutional validity and the principles it once represented.

To honor his extraordinary journey and profound contributions as a civil rights activist, "Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution" was established. The state of California proudly observed this day for the first time on his 92nd birthday, January 30, 2011, marking a historic moment as the first such commemoration for an Asian American in the United States. Following California's lead, Virginia passed legislation in 2015, becoming the second state to permanently recognize each January 30 as Fred Korematsu Day. These commemorations ensure that his legacy of courage, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to civil liberties is never forgotten, serving as a vital reminder to safeguard human rights for all.

The Fred T. Korematsu Institute: Carrying Forward the Mission

To further his enduring work and ensure that the lessons of the past are never forgotten, the Fred T. Korematsu Institute was founded in 2009. This vital organization is dedicated to carrying on Korematsu's legacy by educating the public about his story and its profound implications for civil liberties. Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, the Institute strives to ensure that the mistakes of the Japanese American internment are understood and applied to protect the rights and freedoms of all communities today and in the future, championing the cause of justice and equality for everyone.

FAQs About Fred Korematsu

Who was Fred Korematsu?

Fred Toyosaburo Korematsu was an American civil rights activist born on January 30, 1919. He famously resisted the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, challenging the constitutionality of Executive Order 9066 and becoming a central figure in the landmark Supreme Court case Korematsu v. United States.

What was Executive Order 9066?

Issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in February 1942, Executive Order 9066 authorized the U.S. military to designate certain areas as "military zones" and forcibly remove and incarcerate all persons of Japanese ancestry, including U.S. citizens, from the West Coast into internment camps. This was done without due process and based on unfounded fears, rather than any evidence of disloyalty.

What was Korematsu v. United States?

Korematsu v. United States was a 1944 Supreme Court case where Fred Korematsu challenged the legality of Executive Order 9066. The Court, in a 6-3 decision, controversially upheld the order, ruling that the internment was a "military necessity." This decision is widely regarded as one of the worst in Supreme Court history and has since been discredited and formally condemned.

Was Fred Korematsu's conviction ever overturned?

Yes, in 1983, Fred Korematsu's conviction for defying Executive Order 9066 was overturned by a U.S. District Court in San Francisco. This decision was based on new evidence—documents that the U.S. government had withheld from the Supreme Court during the original trial—proving there was no military necessity for the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans.

When is Fred Korematsu Day?

Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution is observed annually on January 30, his birthday. California became the first state to recognize it in 2011, followed by Virginia in 2015, with several other states and localities having since followed suit to honor his enduring legacy of fighting for justice and civil liberties.

What is the Fred T. Korematsu Institute?

Founded in 2009, the Fred T. Korematsu Institute is an organization dedicated to advancing civil liberties and human rights for all communities. It educates the public about Fred Korematsu's story and the lessons of the Japanese American internment, advocating for justice and working to prevent similar injustices from occurring in the future.