During World War II, the U.S. government forcibly relocated and interned around 120,000 Japanese Americans, most of whom were U.S. citizens. This action was taken due to fears of espionage and sabotage following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The internment camps were often located in remote areas and had harsh living conditions. The internment is now recognized as a grave injustice, and in 1988, the U.S. government formally apologized and provided reparations to surviving internees. This event is a significant part of American history, highlighting issues of civil rights and the impact of wartime hysteria on minority communities, particularly those of Japanese descent.