Main Justice Preview of “Rachel Maddow Presents: Burn Order”
Dec 1, 2025
Dive into a shocking revelation about the mass roundup of innocent Japanese Americans during World War II. Discover the powerful figures behind this executive order and the lengths they went to erase its legacy. Hear about Aiko Herzig-Yoshinaga, a determined researcher whose meticulous archival work uncovered a hidden government report, revealing the intent behind these grave decisions. This compelling narrative sheds light on a dark chapter in history, making you rethink what you know about justice and truth.
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Series Introduces Burn Order Theme
- Rachel Maddow introduces Burn Order, a six-episode series about the U.S. decision to incarcerate tens of thousands of Japanese Americans in WWII.
- She notes the series links that decision to the ideas and people who engineered it and to a 'burn order' that tried to erase it.
Retiree Discovers Hidden Government Report
- Aiko Herzig-Yoshinaga, a retired housewife, spent years doing dogged research at the National Archives and developed a meticulous filing system.
- Her persistence led her to find a government report the government had certified as destroyed, changing many lives.
Meticulous Archival Work Uncovers Truth
- Aiko's unique, handmade indexing and copying system allowed her to connect disparate archival documents and uncover hidden links.
- This grassroots archival work demonstrates how individual diligence can overturn official narratives.