Truman Library: The War Relocation Authority and The Incarceration of Japanese-Americans During World War II: Photographs

Lone Pine, California. Evacuees of Japanese ancestry waiting to board buses which will take them to the War Relocation Authority center at Manzanar, California, April 1, 1942. Photo: Department of the Interior. War Relocation Authority. Source: National Archives.

San Francisco, California. Exclusion Order posted at First and Front Streets directing removal of persons of Japanese ancestry from the first San Francisco section to be effected by the evacuation, April 11, 1942. Photo: Department of the Interior. War Relocation Authority.

Lone Pine, California. Soldiers assist elderly evacuee of Japanese descent leave car steps in transfer to War Relocation Authority center at Manzanar. Photo: Department of the Interior, War Relocation Authority. Source: National Archives.

Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. Sixth grade boys enjoy a game of softball at recess time. Note boys in rear who mistrust control of the "speed ball" pitcher, February 10, 1943. Photo: Department of the Interior. War Relocation Authority. Source: National Archives.

Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. Yaeko Yamashita (in doorway) watches Fugiko Koba trying new pair of geta, which are stilt-like sandals especially useful in dust. They are evacuees of Japanese descent now living at this War Relocation Authority center, April 2, 1942. Photo: Department of the Interior. War Relocation Authority. Source: National Archives.

Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. Hanging curtains in their barrack apartment at this War Relocation Authority for evacuees of Japanese ancestry, April 2, 1942. Photo: Department of the Interior. War Relocation Authority. Source: National Archives.

Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. Construction begins at Manzanar, now a War Relocation Authority center for evacuees of Japanese ancestry, in Owens Valley, flanked by the High Sierras and Mount Whitney, loftiest peak in the United States, April 2, 1942. Photo: Department of the Interior. War Relocation Authority. Source: National Archives.

Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. Not high above Park Avenue, New York City-but high in Owens Valley, California, in the shadow of the High Sierras, this evacuee retains his sense of humor at the Manzanar reception center, April 2, 1942. Photo: Department of the Interior. War Relocation Authority. Source: National Archives.

Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. An evacuee resting on his cot after moving his belongings into this bare barracks room. An army cot and mattress are the only things furnished by the government. All personal belongings were brought by the evacuees, April 2, 1942. Photo: Department of the Interior. War Relocation Authority. Source: National Archives.

Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. Street scene and view of quarters for evacuees of Japanese ancestry at Manzanar reception center. High Sierras in background, April 2, 1942. Photo: Department of the Interior. War Relocation Authority. Source: National Archives.

Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. In the doorway of her barrack apartment at this War Relocation Authority center for evacuees of Japanese ancestry, April 4, 1942. Photo: Department of the Interior. War Relocation Authority. Source: National Archives.

Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. A "uku" [ukulele] affords amusement for young evacuee at this War Relocation Authority center, April 4, 1942. Photo: Department of the Interior. War Relocation Authority. Source: National Archives.

Manzanar Relocation Center, Manzanar, California. Doctor James Goto, Los Angeles physician and surgeon, examines elderly patient in emergency hospital at this War Relocation Authority center for evacuees of Japanese ancestry, April 2, 1942. Photo: Department of the Interior. War Relocation Authority. Source: National Archives.

Dust storm at this War Relocation Authority center where evacuees of Japanese ancestry are spending the duration, July 3, 1942. Photo: Department of the Interior. War Relocation Authority. Source: National Archives.