Gov. Hutchinson signed a proclamation, expressing 'regret and sorrow over that chapter in our history.'

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — February 19 is known as the "Day of Remembrance" for the Japanese Americans that were put into internment camps after the bombing of Pearl Harbor almost 80 years ago.

Over 120,000 Japanese Americans were held at 10 internment camps; 16,000 were held in two internment camps in Arkansas.

They were held there based solely on their ancestry.

In August 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the federal Civil Liberties Act, which granted a formal apology and reparations to those wrongfully forced into internment camps.

Gov. Hutchinson released the following statement:

"Our entire nation expressed regret and sorrow over that chapter in our history and this was reflected in the fact that Congress approved reparations for those families. The national apology in 1988 was appropriate and it reflected a defining virtue of our nation. Today as Americans we renew our commitment that it won’t happen again.”

To read the full proclamation Gov. Hutchinson signed, click here.