Who was Cesar Chavez and what did he do?
Mexican-American Cesar Chavez (1927-1993) was a prominent union leader and labor organizer. Hardened by his early experience as a migrant worker, Chavez founded the National Farm Workers Association in 1962. His union joined with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee in its first strike against grape growers in California,…
How did charming Chávez change the world?
Chávez changed that when he dedicated his life to winning recognition for the rights of agricultural workers, inspiring and organizing them into the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers.
What hardships did the Chavez family face in California?
The Chavez family faced many hardships in California. The family would pick peas and lettuce in the winter, cherries and beans in the spring, corn and grapes in the summer, and cotton in the fall.
Why did Cesar Chavez resign from the CSO?
Over the next decade, he worked to register new voters and fight racial and economic discrimination, and rose to become the CSO’s national director. Chavez resigned from the CSO in 1962, after other members refused to support his efforts to form a labor union for farm workers.
Is March 31st Cesar Chavez’s birthday a holiday?
Cesar Chavez’s birthday, March 31, is a state holiday in California, Colorado, and Texas. It is intended to promote community service in honor of Chavez’s life and work. Many, but not all, state government offices, community colleges, and libraries are closed. Many public schools in the three states are also closed.
How long did the Cesar Chavez boycott last?
The strike lasted five years and expanded into a nationwide boycott of California grapes. The boycott drew widespread support, thanks to the highly visible campaign headed by Chavez, who led a 340-mile march from Delano to Sacramento in 1966 and undertook a well-publicized 25-day hunger strike in 1968.
Where did Cesar Chavez meet Coretta King in 1972?
This historic building is the Santa Rita Center (also known as Santa Rita Hall). It is where Cesar Chavez began his 24-day hunger strike on May 11, 1972. Coretta King met with Chavez in the hall during his fast. The structure was listed on the Phoenix Historic Property Register on October 2007.