Origins & Early Life

Fred Toyosaburo Korematsu (是松豊三郎, Korematsu Toyosaburō; January 30, 1919 – March 30, 2005) was an American civil rights activist who resisted the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Shortly after the Imperial Japanese Navy launched its attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, which authorized the removal of individuals of Japanese ancestry living on the West Coast from their homes and their mandatory imprisonment in incarceration camps. Korematsu challenged the order and became a fugitive.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The legality of Roosevelt's order was upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States in Korematsu v. United States (1944). However, Korematsu's conviction for evading internment was overturned four decades later in US District Court, after the disclosure of new evidence challenging its necessity, which had been withheld from the courts by the U.S. government during the war. Korematsu was discussed seventy-four years later in Trump v.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Hawaii (2018), with Chief Justice John Roberts writing: "The forcible relocation of U.S. citizens to concentration camps, solely and explicitly on the basis of race, is objectively unlawful and outside the...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Berniece Baker Miracle — Contemporary (Born in 1919) (1919): American writer celebrated for her memoir on Marilyn Monroe.
• Ahmed Zaki (actor) — Contemporary (Died in 2005) (2005): Iconic Egyptian actor celebrated for intense dramatic performances.
• Anthony Barber — Contemporary (Died in 2005) (2005): British Conservative politician, Chancellor of the Exchequer (1970-1974)
• Arthur Miller — Contemporary (Died in 2005) (2005): A towering figure of 20th-century American theater and essayist.
• Barbara W. Tuchman — Shared historical date (01-30 · Born) (1912): Pulitzer Prize-winning historian renowned for vivid accounts of pivotal moments in world history.
• Bobby Hull — Shared historical date (01-30 · Died) (2023): Iconic 'Golden Jet' of hockey, celebrated for speed and scoring prowess.
• Bill Withers — Shared historical date (03-30 · Died) (2020): Iconic American soul and R&B singer-songwriter known for heartfelt anthems.
• Francisco Goya — Shared historical date (03-30 · Born) (1746): Pioneering Spanish master bridging the Old and Modern eras of art.
• 1919 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1919
• January 30 (01-30) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 30
• 2005 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2005
• March 30 (03-30) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on March 30