It is a drama, set during the Japanese American internment of World War II, produced by Cedar Grove Productions with Visual Communications as fiscal sponsor.

Set in a relocation camp in 1943, "Day of Independence" tells the story of a young baseball player facing the tragic circumstances of the internment of 110,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry during World War II.

(In order of appearance) The story of the film is based on playwright and executive producer Tim Toyama's own father's World War II experience.

[1] However, the parents told Zip that as an American, he should remain in the U.S. Toyama wrote a play based on his family history, Independence Day.

Following its broadcast premiere on KHET/PBS Hawai'i on May 12, 2005,[3] the film received a Regional Emmy nomination, from the NATAS San Francisco/Northern California Chapter (which includes Hawaii), in the category of Historical/Cultural – Program/Special.