Quiet Americans
@quietamericans.com
Uncovering Japanese American stories: History. Injustice. Resistance. Achievements. Remembering those who built, fought, and endured.
https://quietamericans.com
https://quietamericans.com
Pinned
Quiet Americans
@quietamericans.com
· Jul 13
Welcome to Quiet Americans.
We tell stories of Japanese American history — injustice, resilience, and resistance.
Inspired by Claude Akira Mimaki, a Nisei soldier who rarely spoke of his WWII incarceration or Army service, we’re here to make sure it’s heard.
quietamericans.com
We tell stories of Japanese American history — injustice, resilience, and resistance.
Inspired by Claude Akira Mimaki, a Nisei soldier who rarely spoke of his WWII incarceration or Army service, we’re here to make sure it’s heard.
quietamericans.com
They arrested the wrong brother — then kept him anyway.
Jan 7, 1942: Kakurō Shigenaga was arrested by mistake while authorities were looking for his brother. When they realized the error, they arrested his brother too.
🔗 quietamericans.com/kakuro-shigenaga
Jan 7, 1942: Kakurō Shigenaga was arrested by mistake while authorities were looking for his brother. When they realized the error, they arrested his brother too.
🔗 quietamericans.com/kakuro-shigenaga
January 7, 2026 at 3:30 PM
They arrested the wrong brother — then kept him anyway.
Jan 7, 1942: Kakurō Shigenaga was arrested by mistake while authorities were looking for his brother. When they realized the error, they arrested his brother too.
🔗 quietamericans.com/kakuro-shigenaga
Jan 7, 1942: Kakurō Shigenaga was arrested by mistake while authorities were looking for his brother. When they realized the error, they arrested his brother too.
🔗 quietamericans.com/kakuro-shigenaga
Happy, Happy Birthday to Big, Big Brother
January 7, 1952 — Sammo Hung, affectionately known as Dai Goh Dai (大哥大), meaning “Big, Big Brother,” was born.
January 7, 1952 — Sammo Hung, affectionately known as Dai Goh Dai (大哥大), meaning “Big, Big Brother,” was born.
January 7, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Happy, Happy Birthday to Big, Big Brother
January 7, 1952 — Sammo Hung, affectionately known as Dai Goh Dai (大哥大), meaning “Big, Big Brother,” was born.
January 7, 1952 — Sammo Hung, affectionately known as Dai Goh Dai (大哥大), meaning “Big, Big Brother,” was born.
2614F spent the rest of her life making sure America remembered why she was 2614F.
Born Jan 6, 1923, Sue Kunitomi Embrey was incarcerated at Manzanar at 19. She later became the driving force behind preserving Manzanar’s history.
quietamericans.com/sue-kunitomi-embrey
Born Jan 6, 1923, Sue Kunitomi Embrey was incarcerated at Manzanar at 19. She later became the driving force behind preserving Manzanar’s history.
quietamericans.com/sue-kunitomi-embrey
January 6, 2026 at 5:30 PM
2614F spent the rest of her life making sure America remembered why she was 2614F.
Born Jan 6, 1923, Sue Kunitomi Embrey was incarcerated at Manzanar at 19. She later became the driving force behind preserving Manzanar’s history.
quietamericans.com/sue-kunitomi-embrey
Born Jan 6, 1923, Sue Kunitomi Embrey was incarcerated at Manzanar at 19. She later became the driving force behind preserving Manzanar’s history.
quietamericans.com/sue-kunitomi-embrey
Perhaps the greatest football team in Wyoming played behind barbed wire.
Jan 5, 2021 — “The Eagles of Heart Mountain,” the true story of a Japanese American team that dominated surrounding Wyoming high schools during WWII, was published.
🔗 quietamericans.com/heart-mountain-eagles
Jan 5, 2021 — “The Eagles of Heart Mountain,” the true story of a Japanese American team that dominated surrounding Wyoming high schools during WWII, was published.
🔗 quietamericans.com/heart-mountain-eagles
January 5, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Perhaps the greatest football team in Wyoming played behind barbed wire.
Jan 5, 2021 — “The Eagles of Heart Mountain,” the true story of a Japanese American team that dominated surrounding Wyoming high schools during WWII, was published.
🔗 quietamericans.com/heart-mountain-eagles
Jan 5, 2021 — “The Eagles of Heart Mountain,” the true story of a Japanese American team that dominated surrounding Wyoming high schools during WWII, was published.
🔗 quietamericans.com/heart-mountain-eagles
It was a Fourth to be reckoned with.
Jan 4, 1965 — Patsy Mink sworn in as the first Asian American woman, and the first woman of color, to serve in Congress.
Jan 4, 1977 — Spark Matsunaga sworn in as a U.S. Senator.
Jan 4, 1965 — Patsy Mink sworn in as the first Asian American woman, and the first woman of color, to serve in Congress.
Jan 4, 1977 — Spark Matsunaga sworn in as a U.S. Senator.
January 4, 2026 at 7:08 PM
It was a Fourth to be reckoned with.
Jan 4, 1965 — Patsy Mink sworn in as the first Asian American woman, and the first woman of color, to serve in Congress.
Jan 4, 1977 — Spark Matsunaga sworn in as a U.S. Senator.
Jan 4, 1965 — Patsy Mink sworn in as the first Asian American woman, and the first woman of color, to serve in Congress.
Jan 4, 1977 — Spark Matsunaga sworn in as a U.S. Senator.
Until him, a minority farmer was a minority farmer.
Even with a Ph.D. in math from UC Berkeley.
Jan 3, 1957 — Dalip Singh Saund became the first Asian American elected to Congress.
quietamericans.com/dalip-saund
Even with a Ph.D. in math from UC Berkeley.
Jan 3, 1957 — Dalip Singh Saund became the first Asian American elected to Congress.
quietamericans.com/dalip-saund
January 3, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Until him, a minority farmer was a minority farmer.
Even with a Ph.D. in math from UC Berkeley.
Jan 3, 1957 — Dalip Singh Saund became the first Asian American elected to Congress.
quietamericans.com/dalip-saund
Even with a Ph.D. in math from UC Berkeley.
Jan 3, 1957 — Dalip Singh Saund became the first Asian American elected to Congress.
quietamericans.com/dalip-saund
2026, Year of the Horse.
In 1942, Lily Ōkura stood beside Seabiscuit at Santa Anita, while she and her family were incarcerated just beyond the gates.
She would later become the first woman elected to the National JACL Board.
May we move forward with strength and grace.
In 1942, Lily Ōkura stood beside Seabiscuit at Santa Anita, while she and her family were incarcerated just beyond the gates.
She would later become the first woman elected to the National JACL Board.
May we move forward with strength and grace.
January 1, 2026 at 5:00 PM
2026, Year of the Horse.
In 1942, Lily Ōkura stood beside Seabiscuit at Santa Anita, while she and her family were incarcerated just beyond the gates.
She would later become the first woman elected to the National JACL Board.
May we move forward with strength and grace.
In 1942, Lily Ōkura stood beside Seabiscuit at Santa Anita, while she and her family were incarcerated just beyond the gates.
She would later become the first woman elected to the National JACL Board.
May we move forward with strength and grace.
“Contraband” included cameras, radios, baseball bats, and antacids.
December 29, 1941 — Authorities ordered Japanese, German, and Italian immigrants to surrender personal property.
For Japanese Americans, this was an early warning.
Incarceration came next.
December 29, 1941 — Authorities ordered Japanese, German, and Italian immigrants to surrender personal property.
For Japanese Americans, this was an early warning.
Incarceration came next.
December 29, 2025 at 5:30 PM
“Contraband” included cameras, radios, baseball bats, and antacids.
December 29, 1941 — Authorities ordered Japanese, German, and Italian immigrants to surrender personal property.
For Japanese Americans, this was an early warning.
Incarceration came next.
December 29, 1941 — Authorities ordered Japanese, German, and Italian immigrants to surrender personal property.
For Japanese Americans, this was an early warning.
Incarceration came next.
Love survived the war.
But so did discrimination.
Dec 28, 1945 — The War Brides Act allowed foreign spouses of U.S. servicemen to immigrate.
But most Asian wives were excluded by existing racist laws.
For many Japanese women, marriage wasn’t enough.
quietamericans.com/war-brides-act
But so did discrimination.
Dec 28, 1945 — The War Brides Act allowed foreign spouses of U.S. servicemen to immigrate.
But most Asian wives were excluded by existing racist laws.
For many Japanese women, marriage wasn’t enough.
quietamericans.com/war-brides-act
December 28, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Love survived the war.
But so did discrimination.
Dec 28, 1945 — The War Brides Act allowed foreign spouses of U.S. servicemen to immigrate.
But most Asian wives were excluded by existing racist laws.
For many Japanese women, marriage wasn’t enough.
quietamericans.com/war-brides-act
But so did discrimination.
Dec 28, 1945 — The War Brides Act allowed foreign spouses of U.S. servicemen to immigrate.
But most Asian wives were excluded by existing racist laws.
For many Japanese women, marriage wasn’t enough.
quietamericans.com/war-brides-act
The coolest geek is from Shibuya.
Masi Oka was born in Tokyo OTD, Dec 27, 1974.
Before Heroes, he worked as a digital effects artist at ILM.
Then Hiro Nakamura made him a global icon.
Named “The Coolest Geek” in 2007 by Spike TV.
Masi Oka was born in Tokyo OTD, Dec 27, 1974.
Before Heroes, he worked as a digital effects artist at ILM.
Then Hiro Nakamura made him a global icon.
Named “The Coolest Geek” in 2007 by Spike TV.
December 27, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The coolest geek is from Shibuya.
Masi Oka was born in Tokyo OTD, Dec 27, 1974.
Before Heroes, he worked as a digital effects artist at ILM.
Then Hiro Nakamura made him a global icon.
Named “The Coolest Geek” in 2007 by Spike TV.
Masi Oka was born in Tokyo OTD, Dec 27, 1974.
Before Heroes, he worked as a digital effects artist at ILM.
Then Hiro Nakamura made him a global icon.
Named “The Coolest Geek” in 2007 by Spike TV.
Santa still came. Even behind barbed wire.
December 25, 1942–1944:
Japanese Americans celebrated Christmas inside incarceration camps across the country.
Trees went up. Guard towers stayed.
quietamericans.com/camp-christmas
December 25, 1942–1944:
Japanese Americans celebrated Christmas inside incarceration camps across the country.
Trees went up. Guard towers stayed.
quietamericans.com/camp-christmas
December 25, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Santa still came. Even behind barbed wire.
December 25, 1942–1944:
Japanese Americans celebrated Christmas inside incarceration camps across the country.
Trees went up. Guard towers stayed.
quietamericans.com/camp-christmas
December 25, 1942–1944:
Japanese Americans celebrated Christmas inside incarceration camps across the country.
Trees went up. Guard towers stayed.
quietamericans.com/camp-christmas
They called it a “pardon.”
December 24, 1947: President Truman issued a “Christmas Eve pardon” for 1,523 Japanese American draft resisters who were still in prison.
They refused to fight while their families were unjustly incarcerated.
Beg your pardon, what was their crime?
December 24, 1947: President Truman issued a “Christmas Eve pardon” for 1,523 Japanese American draft resisters who were still in prison.
They refused to fight while their families were unjustly incarcerated.
Beg your pardon, what was their crime?
December 24, 2025 at 6:03 PM
They called it a “pardon.”
December 24, 1947: President Truman issued a “Christmas Eve pardon” for 1,523 Japanese American draft resisters who were still in prison.
They refused to fight while their families were unjustly incarcerated.
Beg your pardon, what was their crime?
December 24, 1947: President Truman issued a “Christmas Eve pardon” for 1,523 Japanese American draft resisters who were still in prison.
They refused to fight while their families were unjustly incarcerated.
Beg your pardon, what was their crime?
He wanted to be an artist and a writer.
He died in the battlefield not knowing he already was.
Born Dec 23, 1925, Stanley Hayami was incarcerated, then drafted into the 442nd RCT.
He left behind diaries and drawings from the camp and the war.
quietamericans.com/stanley-hayami
He died in the battlefield not knowing he already was.
Born Dec 23, 1925, Stanley Hayami was incarcerated, then drafted into the 442nd RCT.
He left behind diaries and drawings from the camp and the war.
quietamericans.com/stanley-hayami
December 23, 2025 at 5:02 PM
He wanted to be an artist and a writer.
He died in the battlefield not knowing he already was.
Born Dec 23, 1925, Stanley Hayami was incarcerated, then drafted into the 442nd RCT.
He left behind diaries and drawings from the camp and the war.
quietamericans.com/stanley-hayami
He died in the battlefield not knowing he already was.
Born Dec 23, 1925, Stanley Hayami was incarcerated, then drafted into the 442nd RCT.
He left behind diaries and drawings from the camp and the war.
quietamericans.com/stanley-hayami
James Kanno
Born OTD, Dec 22, 1925
One of the first Asian American mayors in U.S. history, Kanno became Fountain Valley’s first mayor amid backlash and scrutiny. National outlets pointed to his election as evidence of democracy, during a period of racial unrest.
It was a quiet milestone.
Born OTD, Dec 22, 1925
One of the first Asian American mayors in U.S. history, Kanno became Fountain Valley’s first mayor amid backlash and scrutiny. National outlets pointed to his election as evidence of democracy, during a period of racial unrest.
It was a quiet milestone.
December 22, 2025 at 6:02 PM
James Kanno
Born OTD, Dec 22, 1925
One of the first Asian American mayors in U.S. history, Kanno became Fountain Valley’s first mayor amid backlash and scrutiny. National outlets pointed to his election as evidence of democracy, during a period of racial unrest.
It was a quiet milestone.
Born OTD, Dec 22, 1925
One of the first Asian American mayors in U.S. history, Kanno became Fountain Valley’s first mayor amid backlash and scrutiny. National outlets pointed to his election as evidence of democracy, during a period of racial unrest.
It was a quiet milestone.
Born OTD in 1923, Wat Misaka became the NBA’s first non-white player in 1947.
A champion, a WWII veteran, and nearly erased from history.
quietamericans.com/wat-misaka
A champion, a WWII veteran, and nearly erased from history.
quietamericans.com/wat-misaka
December 21, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Born OTD in 1923, Wat Misaka became the NBA’s first non-white player in 1947.
A champion, a WWII veteran, and nearly erased from history.
quietamericans.com/wat-misaka
A champion, a WWII veteran, and nearly erased from history.
quietamericans.com/wat-misaka
December 20, 1849 — Peter Hardeman Burnett became California’s first governor, shaping a state built on racial exclusion, Indigenous genocide, and immigrant targeting.
He opposed slavery only because he didn’t want Black people around him at all.
quietamericans.com/peter-burnett
He opposed slavery only because he didn’t want Black people around him at all.
quietamericans.com/peter-burnett
December 20, 2025 at 7:10 PM
December 20, 1849 — Peter Hardeman Burnett became California’s first governor, shaping a state built on racial exclusion, Indigenous genocide, and immigrant targeting.
He opposed slavery only because he didn’t want Black people around him at all.
quietamericans.com/peter-burnett
He opposed slavery only because he didn’t want Black people around him at all.
quietamericans.com/peter-burnett
On December 18, 1944, the Supreme Court ruled that the government could not detain loyal Japanese Americans.
Hours later, it also ruled that refusing to comply with that unlawful incarceration was punishable.
Injustice was acknowledged — but left unresolved.
quietamericans.com/endo-korematsu
Hours later, it also ruled that refusing to comply with that unlawful incarceration was punishable.
Injustice was acknowledged — but left unresolved.
quietamericans.com/endo-korematsu
December 18, 2025 at 5:30 PM
On December 18, 1944, the Supreme Court ruled that the government could not detain loyal Japanese Americans.
Hours later, it also ruled that refusing to comply with that unlawful incarceration was punishable.
Injustice was acknowledged — but left unresolved.
quietamericans.com/endo-korematsu
Hours later, it also ruled that refusing to comply with that unlawful incarceration was punishable.
Injustice was acknowledged — but left unresolved.
quietamericans.com/endo-korematsu
Dec 14, 1941 — The JACL opened an Anti-Axis Committee to demonstrate Nisei loyalty.
But no matter how hard they tried, they still looked like the enemy.
It didn’t prevent mass incarceration.
And it deepened divisions inside the community.
But no matter how hard they tried, they still looked like the enemy.
It didn’t prevent mass incarceration.
And it deepened divisions inside the community.
December 14, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Dec 14, 1941 — The JACL opened an Anti-Axis Committee to demonstrate Nisei loyalty.
But no matter how hard they tried, they still looked like the enemy.
It didn’t prevent mass incarceration.
And it deepened divisions inside the community.
But no matter how hard they tried, they still looked like the enemy.
It didn’t prevent mass incarceration.
And it deepened divisions inside the community.
It wasn’t just the men who were willing to Go for Broke.
On Dec 13, 1943, Iris Watanabe of the Amache camp became the first Japanese American woman to join the Women’s Army Corps.
Hundreds of Nisei women would follow, even as their families remained behind barbed wire.
quietamericans.com/wac
On Dec 13, 1943, Iris Watanabe of the Amache camp became the first Japanese American woman to join the Women’s Army Corps.
Hundreds of Nisei women would follow, even as their families remained behind barbed wire.
quietamericans.com/wac
December 13, 2025 at 7:00 PM
It wasn’t just the men who were willing to Go for Broke.
On Dec 13, 1943, Iris Watanabe of the Amache camp became the first Japanese American woman to join the Women’s Army Corps.
Hundreds of Nisei women would follow, even as their families remained behind barbed wire.
quietamericans.com/wac
On Dec 13, 1943, Iris Watanabe of the Amache camp became the first Japanese American woman to join the Women’s Army Corps.
Hundreds of Nisei women would follow, even as their families remained behind barbed wire.
quietamericans.com/wac
The Western Defense Command wasn’t created to tear families apart.
But after Pearl Harbor, Gen. John L. DeWitt pushed a narrative with no evidence — and it led to the forced removal of 120,000 Japanese Americans.
History didn’t just happen. People made choices.
🔗 quietamericans.com/wdc
But after Pearl Harbor, Gen. John L. DeWitt pushed a narrative with no evidence — and it led to the forced removal of 120,000 Japanese Americans.
History didn’t just happen. People made choices.
🔗 quietamericans.com/wdc
December 12, 2025 at 12:30 AM
The Western Defense Command wasn’t created to tear families apart.
But after Pearl Harbor, Gen. John L. DeWitt pushed a narrative with no evidence — and it led to the forced removal of 120,000 Japanese Americans.
History didn’t just happen. People made choices.
🔗 quietamericans.com/wdc
But after Pearl Harbor, Gen. John L. DeWitt pushed a narrative with no evidence — and it led to the forced removal of 120,000 Japanese Americans.
History didn’t just happen. People made choices.
🔗 quietamericans.com/wdc
He spoke out when no one else did.
Even when it cost him the re-election.
Born OTD, December 11, 1887, Governor Ralph Carr risked his career to defend Japanese Americans during WWII, when no one else would.
quietamericans.com/ralph-carr
Even when it cost him the re-election.
Born OTD, December 11, 1887, Governor Ralph Carr risked his career to defend Japanese Americans during WWII, when no one else would.
quietamericans.com/ralph-carr
December 11, 2025 at 1:30 PM
He spoke out when no one else did.
Even when it cost him the re-election.
Born OTD, December 11, 1887, Governor Ralph Carr risked his career to defend Japanese Americans during WWII, when no one else would.
quietamericans.com/ralph-carr
Even when it cost him the re-election.
Born OTD, December 11, 1887, Governor Ralph Carr risked his career to defend Japanese Americans during WWII, when no one else would.
quietamericans.com/ralph-carr
The day after Pearl Harbor, American citizens became POWs — on American soil.
On Dec 8, 1941, Sand Island opened in Hawaiʻi.
Teachers, priests, journalists, even fishermen were arrested without warning.
Citizenship didn’t matter.
🔗 quietamericans.com/sand-island
On Dec 8, 1941, Sand Island opened in Hawaiʻi.
Teachers, priests, journalists, even fishermen were arrested without warning.
Citizenship didn’t matter.
🔗 quietamericans.com/sand-island
December 8, 2025 at 3:30 PM
The day after Pearl Harbor, American citizens became POWs — on American soil.
On Dec 8, 1941, Sand Island opened in Hawaiʻi.
Teachers, priests, journalists, even fishermen were arrested without warning.
Citizenship didn’t matter.
🔗 quietamericans.com/sand-island
On Dec 8, 1941, Sand Island opened in Hawaiʻi.
Teachers, priests, journalists, even fishermen were arrested without warning.
Citizenship didn’t matter.
🔗 quietamericans.com/sand-island
Everyone knows the story of Pearl Harbor.
Few know what came next for Japanese Americans.
Within hours, the U.S. arrested 1,700+ Issei community leaders with no charges or hearings.
It was the quiet beginning of mass incarceration.
🔗 quietamericans.com/pearl-harbor
Few know what came next for Japanese Americans.
Within hours, the U.S. arrested 1,700+ Issei community leaders with no charges or hearings.
It was the quiet beginning of mass incarceration.
🔗 quietamericans.com/pearl-harbor
December 8, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Everyone knows the story of Pearl Harbor.
Few know what came next for Japanese Americans.
Within hours, the U.S. arrested 1,700+ Issei community leaders with no charges or hearings.
It was the quiet beginning of mass incarceration.
🔗 quietamericans.com/pearl-harbor
Few know what came next for Japanese Americans.
Within hours, the U.S. arrested 1,700+ Issei community leaders with no charges or hearings.
It was the quiet beginning of mass incarceration.
🔗 quietamericans.com/pearl-harbor
Born OTD, 1927: Patsy Mink.
Twelve medical schools rejected her because she was a woman.
Law firms wouldn’t hire her because she was married with a child.
She turned every barrier into fuel — and became the first Woman of Color and first Asian American woman in Congress.
#PatsyMink #AAPIHistory
Twelve medical schools rejected her because she was a woman.
Law firms wouldn’t hire her because she was married with a child.
She turned every barrier into fuel — and became the first Woman of Color and first Asian American woman in Congress.
#PatsyMink #AAPIHistory
December 7, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Born OTD, 1927: Patsy Mink.
Twelve medical schools rejected her because she was a woman.
Law firms wouldn’t hire her because she was married with a child.
She turned every barrier into fuel — and became the first Woman of Color and first Asian American woman in Congress.
#PatsyMink #AAPIHistory
Twelve medical schools rejected her because she was a woman.
Law firms wouldn’t hire her because she was married with a child.
She turned every barrier into fuel — and became the first Woman of Color and first Asian American woman in Congress.
#PatsyMink #AAPIHistory
OTD in 1942: The Manzanar Riot.
Rumors of informants, rising resentment, and the arrest of a beloved kitchen worker pushed the camp past its breaking point.
Military police opened fire. Two men died.
quietamericans.com/manzanar-riot
#Manzanar #AAPIHistory #QuietAmericans
Rumors of informants, rising resentment, and the arrest of a beloved kitchen worker pushed the camp past its breaking point.
Military police opened fire. Two men died.
quietamericans.com/manzanar-riot
#Manzanar #AAPIHistory #QuietAmericans
December 5, 2025 at 3:01 PM
OTD in 1942: The Manzanar Riot.
Rumors of informants, rising resentment, and the arrest of a beloved kitchen worker pushed the camp past its breaking point.
Military police opened fire. Two men died.
quietamericans.com/manzanar-riot
#Manzanar #AAPIHistory #QuietAmericans
Rumors of informants, rising resentment, and the arrest of a beloved kitchen worker pushed the camp past its breaking point.
Military police opened fire. Two men died.
quietamericans.com/manzanar-riot
#Manzanar #AAPIHistory #QuietAmericans