Day of Remembrance (February 19th)

Day of Remembrance 2026 Banner

Day of Remembrance is a national observance of the World War II incarceration of Americans of Japanese descent in the United States. It is recognized nationally on February 19th, the date that Executive Order 9066 was issued and initiated this process. In 1942, the building currently known as Yoshihiro Uchida Hall on SJSU's campus served as a registration center for local Japanese Americans prior to them being forcibly removed to incarceration camps.

SJSU recognizes this day to acknowledge the Japanese American experience and the campus’ connection to it. It is important that we know our history in order to advocate for a more socially just society moving forward. 

Parking Information for Visitors and Guests:
Visitors or guests may park and purchase Virtual Single Day and Hourly permits through ParkMobile App or self-service Permit Paystations.  We recommend downloading the ParkMobile app before arriving at SJSU for faster and move convenient visitor parking payments. Self-service permit paystations are located at specific parking locations. Find more information about SJSU campus parking.

SJSU Day of Remembrance 2026 Schedule
Thursday, February 19th, 10:30 AM - 1:15 PM
Diaz Compean Student Union Theater at San José State University

Free and Open to the San Jose Community!
Session Time Location  
10:00 AM Student Union Theater Doors Open

10:30 - 11:45 AM

Student Union Theater

Plenary Session: Neighbors, Not Enemies

A discussion on civil liberties, coalition building, and community activism.

Panelists: Vanessa Hatakeyama (Executive Director of Japanese American Musuem of San Jose) and Gordon Yamate (Los Gatos Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission)

Moderator: Dr. Yvonne Kwan (Asian American Studies, SJSU)
11:45 AM - 12:00 PM   Break for Transition
12:00 - 1:15 PM Student Union Theater

Breakout Session #1: “Home Court” and the Power of Sports: Beyond Identity to Shared Community
Film screening & panel discussion 

 

Panelists: Santa Clara Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga, Dean Kobashigawa (San Jose Ninjas), and Dr. Michael Dao (Kinesiology, SJSU)

Moderator: Michelle Smith McDonald (University Marketing and Communications, SJSU)
12:00 - 1:15 PM Student Union, Meeting Room 2A (Second Floor)

Breakout Session #2: Interfaith Coalition Building

Panelists: Reverend Bryan Frazen (Westminster Presbyterian Church), Rabbi Dana L. Magat (Temple Emanu-El), Father Jon Pedigo (Diocese of San Jose), Reverend Steve Pinkston (Retired Minister and Educator)


Moderator: Dr. Kristin Dukes (Chief Diversity Officer, SJSU)
12:00 - 1:15 PM Student Union, Meeting Room 2B (Second Floor)

Breakout Session #3: Building Bridges: Navigating Difficult Dialogues

Facilitator: Dr. Craig John Alimo (Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, SJSU)

Co-sponsored by Asian American Studies, Associated Students Inc., Center for Asian Pacific Islander Student Empowerment, Division of Student Affairs, and Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Office of Community and Government Relations


Past SJSU Day of Remembrances

Day of Remembrance 2023

Currently updating this content.

Day of Remembrance 2024

"Nisei" short film screening & panel discussion
San Jose Taiko Performance
"Never Again is Now!" Mural Project: From Activism to Reality panel
Art Walk: Exploring Ruth Azawa's "Japanese American Internment Memorial" & Yoshihiro Uchida Hall with SJSU University Archivist

Speakers including Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson (SJSU President), Dr. Judy Nagai (SJSU Vice President of University Advancement), Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez, Dr. Kerri Malloy (Assistant Professor of Native American and Indigenous Studies)

Panelists inlcuding Barnaby Dallas (SJSU Spartan Film Studios), Nick Martinez (SJSU Spartan Film Studios), Jake Shimada (SJSU student), Carolyn Hamasaki Brown (Japanese American Museum of San Jose), Nina Chuang (Alumni, Mural Project convener), Susan Hayase (San Jose Nikkei Resisters), Dr. Yvonne Kwan (Associate Professor, Asian American Studies), and Dr. Edwin Tan (SJSU Director of Advocacy and Community Relations)

Day of Remembrance 2025

Plenary Session: Leadership and Taiko Beats
Breakout Session #1: Building Community: Leadership, Legacy, and Cultivating the Next Generation
Breakout Session #2: Building Bridges: The Role of Intergenerational Dialogue in Healing and Advocacy
Breakout Session #3: Legacies: Dance, Remembrance, and Resilience

Emcee: Mike Inouye
Speakers including Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson (SJSU President), Chief Diversity Officer Kristen Dukes, Provost Vincent Del-Casino, Assistant Director Nina Chuang

Esteemed Guests including Santa Clara County Supervisor Betty Duong, Santa Clara County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg, San Jose City Vice Mayor Rosemary Kamei, San Jose City Councilmember George Casey, San Jose City Councilmember Bien Doan, Mayor Ellen Kamei of Mountain View, and representatives from the Offices of Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, State Assemblymember Ash Kalra, State Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, and State Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens.

Panelists including Dr. Yvonne Kwan, Jen Masuda, Wisa Uemura, Vanessa Hatakeyama, Mayor Ellen Kamei of Mountain View, Tom Izu, Dan Kubo, Chris Kubo, Kendal Hearney, Antonio Kobe Lopez, and Yayoi Kambara

Other Day of Remembrance Events