• January 16, 1941


    There has been a great big change in our house since daddy has been taken away to the camp. Mother cries all the time worying [sic] how we will get along. Daddy means everything to us honest, Mister Beckett and without him we can’t go on.  Won’t you please help him in his case so he can come home to us soon? Please Mr. Beckett, I ask you to try hard to help my daddy come home.

    Mano Carlucci, son of internee Carlo Carlucci, letter to G.G. Beckett, January 16, 1941, Library and Archives Canada

  • March 19, 1941


    My Aunt has tried in every way at her disposal to have her husband released, but all her efforts have proven futile, thus I was prompted to write this message to you. Auntie Paonessa is an elderly woman…and not in the best of health, even by a stretch of the imagination, is forced to go out and try to earn a living for herself and her children…it makes me feel sick, to see them suffering from such want and privation. I cannot help feeling a little bitter about the whole thing…Sir, being a Canadian and being in the Canadian Army…I can readily understand the detention of anyone who may do harm to this country. But not my Uncle Joe, Sir, he is such a quiet, easy going person, who never spoke anything but of the highest of this country, Canada.

    Walter Bula, nephew of internee Giuseppe Paonessa, letter to Mr. McPherson, March 19, 1941, Library and Archives Canada

  • March 27, 1941


    Al’s letter pleased me very much as it is encouraging and it is possible that some action will be taken on my case soon. Send the 14” plane it will do. Maybe we will be allowed to send some souvenirs for Easter. Don made some forks and spoons, and a meat chopper for his wife. We will send home to you. Get Chester his suit but get him a good one… Tell him that Gaetano makes the coffee every morning now and the cooking is done by Mascia and Lonza…We go to mass every Sunday and Rosary every night…Send me another $3 for this month as we are allowed to spent $8.00 a month.

    George Capponi, internee, translated letter to Irene Capponi, March 27, 1941, Library and Archives Canada

  • June 09, 1941


    I agree with you when you say that you will never forget or forgive about my being put in here. After all, some one has to suffer so that someone else will get his laurels, from men that have worked for them. I have worked for them for years and the only gratitude I have received is this. I will trust God that in the end justice will prevail.

    Peter Frare, internee, POW letter to Anna Frare, June 9, 1941, Library and Archives Canada

  • June 16, 1941


    The United States government orders all German and Italian consulates closed. All consulate staff are given until July 10th to leave the country.

  • December 07, 1941


    The Imperial Japanese Navy attack the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. That night arrests of Japanese, German and Italian enemy aliens begins across the United States. Many of these individuals are eventually interned.

    — Battered destroyers in drydock after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Associated Press, December 7, 1941, Columbus Centre Collection

  • December 11, 1941


    Germany and Italy declare war on the United States. The United States counter and declare war on Germany and Italy.