Executive Order 9066 was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 19, 1942, amidst growing tensions and fears within the United States following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. The order authorized the military to designate certain areas as 'military zones,' effectively paving the way for the exclusion and internment of Japanese Americans residing on the West Coast. This was fueled by a belief that individuals of Japanese ancestry represented a potential threat to national security, despite a lack of evidence supporting such claims. The order allowed for the internment of approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans, most of whom were U.S. citizens. It highlighted the racial prejudices and wartime hysteria that permeated American society during this period.The internment camps, often located in remote areas, subjected families to harsh living conditions, loss of property, and social stigma. The decision to intern Japanese Americans faced little political opposition at the time, reflecting widespread public support for actions perceived as necessary for national security. Historians have since criticized this executive order as a violation of civil rights and a glaring example of the consequences of wartime fear driven by racial discrimination.In the subsequent years, the internment of Japanese Americans has been recognized as a significant blight on American civil liberties during World War II. The U.S. government later acknowledged the injustices experienced by this community, leading to reparations and formal apologies in the 1980s. The legacy of Executive Order 9066 continues to resonate as discussions of national security, race, and civil rights remain pertinent issues in contemporary society.