10 Times the U.S. Government Formally Apologized

Throughout its nearly 250-year history, the United States government has taken actions that inflicted harm upon various communities, often in the name of national interest or under misguided policies. While the U.S. has periodically issued formal apologies, many of these gestures come long after the damage, without necessarily taking direct steps to provide lasting restitution. These apologies are sometimes criticized as symbolic or insufficient, with meaningful reparative actions still lacking.

Nonetheless, such statements of remorse can serve as a way to recognize painful historical wrongs and offer some accountability, even if they fall short of full reparation. Here are ten notable instances where the U.S. government formally apologized for past policies, each reflecting a moment of reckoning for actions that deeply impacted the affected communities.

Related: 10 Bizarre Failed Military Experiments and Projects

10 The Japanese American Internment Apology (1988)

Following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, which authorized the forced relocation of over 120,000 Japanese Americans to internment camps. Families were given days to pack, leaving behind homes, businesses, and properties. Many families lost everything, enduring harsh conditions and deep psychological scars that would last for generations. President Ronald Reagan formally apologized in 1988 by signing the Civil Liberties Act, acknowledging that the internment was a result of “racial prejudice, wartime hysteria, and a failure of political leadership.”

The Civil Liberties Act offered reparations of $20,000 to each surviving internee as a symbolic gesture to partially restore what had been lost. Reagan’s apology was groundbreaking as it marked one of the first times the federal government admitted to a violation of civil rights motivated by racial prejudice. The internment apology remains a lasting reminder of the dangers of racial discrimination and government overreach during times of crisis, reinforcing the importance of upholding civil liberties.^[1]

9 Tuskegee Syphilis Study Apology (1997)

The Tuskegee Syphilis Study was one of the most unethical medical experiments in U.S. history. Conducted by the U.S. Public Health Service from 1932 to 1972, the study involved over 600 African American men in Tuskegee, Alabama, who were told they would receive free treatment for syphilis. In reality, treatment was deliberately withheld to observe the disease’s effects. For 40 years, these men endured serious symptoms, and many died as a result. In 1997, President Bill Clinton formally apologized, calling the study an “outrageous violation” of human rights.

Clinton’s apology included a pledge to improve health care for minorities and protect against medical exploitation, stating that the government would “never let it happen again.” The Tuskegee apology led to increased scrutiny of bioethical standards and informed consent in research, with reforms enacted to safeguard vulnerable populations. This apology remains a poignant example of the need for ethical vigilance and respect for individuals’ rights in medical research.^[2]

8 The Apology for Slavery (2008)

In 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives issued a formal apology for the injustices of slavery and the subsequent era of segregation. The resolution acknowledged the exploitation, cruelty, and profound generational trauma inflicted upon African Americans over centuries. It was the first official statement from the federal government apologizing for slavery, which the United States had abolished in 1865 after the Civil War. Though it didn’t include reparations, it was a symbolic acknowledgment of the long-term effects of slavery on African American communities.

The apology spurred calls for reparations and continued conversations about how to address the legacy of slavery in modern-day America. Some states followed with their own formal apologies, and activists viewed it as a necessary first step toward reparative justice. Although the resolution faced criticism for being a symbolic gesture without substantive action, it remains significant for formally acknowledging one of the most severe moral failings in American history.^[3]

7 Native American Land Seizure Apology (2009)

In 2009, the U.S. Congress issued an apology to Native American tribes for centuries of violence, land seizure, and forced relocation, recognizing the harm inflicted by government policies. The apology was included in a defense appropriations bill signed by President Obama, which expressed regret for the suffering caused by broken treaties and the mistreatment of Native communities. This was a significant moment, as it acknowledged the pain and losses endured by Indigenous populations due to federal actions and policies over hundreds of years.

Although the apology did not include direct reparations, it called for greater respect for Native American rights and self-determination. The apology was viewed as long overdue by Native communities, as the US government’s actions had severely impacted their cultures, economies, and land ownership. Critics, however, felt it lacked meaningful follow-up, particularly in terms of land restitution, but it marked an important step toward reconciliation and recognition of past injustices.^[4]

6 . “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal and Apology (2010)

The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy, enacted in 1993, prohibited openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals from serving in the U.S. military. More than 13,000 service members were discharged under DADT, facing stigmatization and loss of career opportunities. In 2010, Congress repealed DADT, and President Barack Obama issued an apology, recognizing the harm the policy caused to LGBTQ+ service members who served in silence. The repeal allowed openly LGBTQ+ individuals to serve without fear of discharge due to their sexual orientation.

Obama’s statement underscored a commitment to inclusion and equal treatment within the military, emphasizing that discrimination has no place in the armed forces. The repeal was hailed as a major milestone for LGBTQ+ rights and was followed by additional reforms aimed at erasing the negative impact of DADT. This apology remains a pivotal moment in the U.S. military’s progress toward a more inclusive environment for all service members.^[5]

5 Sterilization of Native American Women (1970s) Apology

In the 1970s, reports revealed that the Indian Health Service (IHS) had forcibly sterilized thousands of Native American women without their informed consent. Justified under “population control” measures, these sterilizations stripped women of their reproductive rights and disrupted Native communities. While the U.S. Congress issued no formal apology, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) later acknowledged the unethical practices and committed to enforcing stricter informed consent guidelines for medical procedures.

This acknowledgment marked a significant moment in recognizing medical abuses endured by Native communities and prompted new discussions on reproductive rights. The government’s recognition of these sterilizations helped shine a light on similar abuses in other marginalized communities, emphasizing the importance of informed consent and patient autonomy in healthcare. While advocates still push for a more formal apology, the HHS acknowledgment was a step toward accountability and respect for Native American rights.^[6]

4 The Apology for the Treatment of Native Hawaiians (1993)

In 1993, on the 100th anniversary of Hawaii’s overthrow, President Bill Clinton signed the Apology Resolution, which formally acknowledged the U.S. government’s role in the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893. The Hawaiian Kingdom’s last queen, Lili’uokalani, was deposed with support from U.S. forces, leading to Hawaii’s eventual annexation in 1898. The resolution admitted that the United States had acted unjustly toward the Hawaiian people, whose sovereignty had been eroded and culture suppressed.

The Apology Resolution was a significant gesture toward reconciliation with Native Hawaiians, acknowledging the consequences of forced annexation. Although it did not include reparations or land restitution, it inspired renewed interest in Hawaiian sovereignty and cultural preservation. The resolution remains a controversial but pivotal acknowledgment of America’s colonial past in Hawaii, symbolizing an official recognition of the Hawaiian people’s right to autonomy.^[7]

3 Apology for the Guatemalan Syphilis Experiments (2010)

Between 1946 and 1948, U.S. Public Health Service researchers conducted syphilis and gonorrhea experiments on Guatemalan prisoners, soldiers, and psychiatric patients without their consent. They infected over a thousand Guatemalans to test penicillin’s effectiveness against STDs. This horrific violation remained hidden until 2010 when the U.S. government formally apologized to Guatemala. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius condemned the experiments as unethical and inhumane.

The apology included a commitment to ethical research standards and protecting human rights in global health initiatives. The Guatemalan syphilis experiments are considered among the darkest chapters of American medical experimentation, and this apology emphasized the importance of informed consent. The apology also helped repair diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Guatemala, reminding the world of the need for transparency and respect in medical research.^[8]

2 WWII Apology for Mistreatment of Italian and German Americans (2000)

During World War II, Italian and German Americans faced discrimination, curfews, forced relocations, and internment due to their heritage, similar to Japanese Americans. Although the Japanese internment is more widely known, this prejudice affected thousands of Italian and German Americans who lost homes, businesses, and social standing. In 2000, the U.S. Congress issued an apology acknowledging the injustices against these communities, recognizing that wartime hysteria led to unfair treatment based on ethnicity.

The apology aimed to provide some closure for those affected and emphasized the importance of protecting civil liberties during times of national security concerns. The acknowledgment was a critical step in addressing overlooked aspects of American wartime policy, reminding citizens of the harms caused by xenophobia. This apology helped raise awareness of how fear-driven policies can affect diverse communities and has since sparked dialogue on safeguarding civil rights during crises.^[9]

1 The Apology for the Native American Boarding School Policy (2024)

In 2024, President Joe Biden formally apologized for the federal government’s role in operating boarding schools that forcibly assimilated Native American children into American culture. These schools, operational from 1819 to 1969, forcibly removed at least 18,000 children from their families, subjecting them to cultural erasure and abuse. Biden’s apology came after a comprehensive report detailing abuses, led by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, the first Native American to hold a Cabinet position.

The investigation documented the extent of abuse, including forced labor, physical and sexual abuse, and cultural erasure endured by children. The report revealed that at least 973 children died at these schools, and many were buried in unmarked graves. Biden’s remarks described this policy as “one of the most horrific chapters in American history,” acknowledging the damage inflicted on generations of Indigenous people.

At an emotional address in Laveen, Arizona, Biden spoke at Gila Crossing Community School, marking the first presidential visit to tribal lands in over a decade. He called for a moment of silence to remember those who suffered, stating that “no apology can or will make up for what was lost.” Biden’s speech not only honored the resilience of Native American communities but also highlighted his administration’s commitment to reckoning with this tragic past. This formal acknowledgment marked a new chapter in the federal government’s engagement with Indigenous communities, aiming to foster healing and respect for cultural heritage moving forward.^[10]