infamous date
41
became distrustful of Japanese Ameri-
cans. Many Japanese Americans lived on
the West Coast. Some people feared they
would serve as spies for Japan. The U.S.
government set up 10
internment
camps.
More than 100,000 Japanese Americans
were forced to leave their homes and live
in these camps. Conditions in the camps
were often terrible. They were located in
isolated deserts. They were surrounded by
barbed wire and guards. Families had to
cram into tiny rooms. They slept on sacks
filled with straw. Sickness spread quickly in
the close quarters. Prisoners had to remain
in the camps for nearly three years. By the
time they could leave, many had lost their
homes and businesses.
On August 6, 1945, the U.S. dropped an
