#OTD in 1944, the Seattle Times reports on two Japanese American soldiers who became combat casualties. SSG Philip S. Kinoshita was killed in action while PFC John T. Matsudaira was seriously injured in Italy. The two were former residents of Seattle and met the Pope at the Vatican. 🗃 #skystorians

#OTD in 1944, California Judge Louis Goodman grants a motion to dismiss charges against 26 Japanese American men at the Tule Lake incarceration camp. The men were charged for failing to appear for induction into the Army, which Judge Goodman called a "shocking" action. 🗃 #skystorians

A photograph of a Japanese American baseball player at the Minidoka incarceration camp in Idaho. A row of camp barracks and two basketball hoops can be seen in the background. The photograph was taken sometime between 1942 and 1945. 🗃 #skystorians

#OTD in 1944, the American Federation of Labor approves a resolution to sponsor legislation that would strip citizenship and deport all Japanese Americans. The resolution is vaguely written, leading to speculation in the article that even American-born Nisei would also be targeted. 🗃 #skystorians

A photograph of a Japanese American woman at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp in Wyoming. The photograph was taken by Yoshio Okumoto on July 20, 1944. 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

A photograph of a boy's baseball team and their coaches at the Minidoka incarceration camp in Idaho. The photograph was taken sometime between 1942 and 1945. 🗃 #skystorians

A photograph of Japanese Americans bidding fellow incarcerees goodbye at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp in Wyoming. Caption: "Joe, Kiyo Hashimoto departure, July 16th 1944 4:30pm." The photograph was taken by Yoshio Okumoto. 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

A photograph of Japanese American soldiers with the 100th Infantry Battalion at a religious service. Original caption: "Chruch services in Orciano, Italy, 24 hours after being taken by the 100th Infantry Battalion (Americans of Japanese ancestry). Fifth Army, July 15, 1944." 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

A photograph of four Japanese American soldiers looking through a window at Santa Luce, Italy. Allied forces had just liberated Santa Luce earlier that same day. The photograph was taken on July 14, 1944. 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

A photograph of six Japanese American soldiers roasting hot dogs over a fire at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Most of the soldiers are unidentified but Sumito Horiuchi is second from the left. The photograph was taken on July 8, 1945. 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

#OTD in 1944, Pvt. Bernard Goe, a Tule Lake Army guard who killed Shiochi James Okamoto, is acquitted of manslaughter charges. Goe shot Okamoto after Okamoto refused to show his pass when he returned to camp. Deliberation during the court-martial only took one hour to reach a verdict. 🗃 #skystorians

#OTD in 1944, Gordon Hirabayashi was freed from custody after posting a $1,000 dollar bond. Hirabayashi stated that he refuses to serve in the armed forces but would be willing to do relief work in the Pacific Theater. 🗃 #skystorians

A photograph of Naomi Higaki, a Japanese American soldier, posing for a photograph. Caption on back: "Naomi - Taken July 3, '45 at Kawai's home on first furlough. Twin Falls, Idaho" 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

A photograph of a Japanese American man carrying a child on his back at the Manzanar incarceration camp in California. The photograph was taken on July 2, 1942. 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

As we remember our history, it's important that we plan for the future. Republican commentators, influencers, and politicians have vowed to seek other means of ending birthright citizenship. President Trump has called on Congress to draw up legislation and has pledged his support for such a move. 7/

While birthright citizenship survived Regan v. King, the case shows how bigots will use a crisis to attack that right. In their dissensions in Trump v. Barbara, Judges Alito and Thomas complained that children of people from "strategic adversary and enemy" nations were entitled to citizenship. 6/

Called Regan v. King, the case was brought to Federal District Court in June 1942 but was dismissed on July 2. The case was taken to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and was heard on February 19, 1943. The case was quickly dismissed and on May 17, the Supreme Court declined to hear the case. 5/

In 1942, during the height of WWII anti-Japanese sentiment, a nativist group called the Native Sons of the Golden West sued to remove Nisei from San Francisco voter rolls. The lawsuit was not solely focused on voting rights as the goal was to overturn Wong Kim Ark and strip Nisei of citizenship. 4/

Then as now, bigoted Americans have resented that all children, regardless of race or any other distinction, have a right to citizenship. While birthright citizenship has survived legal challenges, bigots will always seek to end it. WWII offers a potential path they may take in the near future. 3/

The birthright clause has been challenged numerous times since the 14th Amendment was ratified. US v. Wong Kim Ark is the most famous example and established a longstanding precedent. While immigrants from places such as China and Japan were barred from citizenship, their children had that right. 2/

Yesterday, the Supreme Court narrowly defended birthright citizenship. We should celebrate this win but we must remember that this is not the first nor last time birthright citizenship will be attacked. History teaches us lessons and can also show us what we could face in the future. 1/ #skystorians

#OTD in 1944, the Seattle Times reports on the engagement of Gordon Hirabayashi and Esther Schmoe. The couple had been engaged but were recently issued a marriage license. Schmoe's parents approve of the relationship and Hirabayashi states that the wedding is planned for August 1944. 🗃 #skystorians

A photograph of eleven Japanese American soldiers enjoying food and drinks at Camp Grant, Illinois. The photograph was taken on June 29, 1943. 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

A photograph of four Japanese American women outside of the Heart Mountain incarceration camp in Wyoming. Caption "Kiku, Aki, Tami, Sumi." The photograph was taken by Yoshio Okumoto on June 25, 1944. 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

A photograph of women and children enjoying drinks and snacks at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp in Wyoming. The photograph was taken by Yoshio Okumoto on June 24, 1944. 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

A photograph of three players for the ManzaKnights baseball team at the Manzanar incarceration camp in California. Original caption: "Min, Tino, Nob." 🗃 #skystorians

A photograph of seven Japanese American children at the Heart Mountain incarceration camp in Wyoming. A row of camp barracks and Heart Mountain itself can be seen in the background. The photograph was taken by Yoshio Okumoto on June 19, 1944. 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

A photograph of Japanese American soldiers at their graduation ceremony from the Military Intelligence Service Language School at Camp Savage, Minnesota. Major General George W. Strong was one the speakers that addressed the soldiers. The photograph was taken on June 18, 1943. 🗃 #skystorians #OTD

A photograph of the Hunt baseball team at the Minidoka incarceration camp in Idaho. The photograph was taken sometime between 1942 and 1945. 🗃 #skystorians

A painting of a truckload of Japanese American farm workers returning to the Manzanar incarceration camp in California. Caption: "'Home sweet home' for men coming home to Manzanar from beet furlough." The piece was painted by Kango Takamura on June 16, 1942.