Cesar Chavez Day
March 31, Monday
Historical Context
Cesar Chavez was the founder of the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), which merged with other organizations in 1962 to form the United Farm Workers (UFW). He dedicated his life to fighting for better working conditions for farm workers, who worked under extremely harsh conditions for low pay and few rights.
One of Chavez's most famous achievements was his long and hard-fought fight for farmers' rights, including leading the California grape boycott in the 1960s, which led to better working conditions for thousands of workers. He also popularized peaceful protest methods such as hunger strikes and silent marches as a counter to violent actions.
Celebrating the holiday
Cesar Chavez Day is an official holiday in several states in the United States, including California, Texas, Colorado, Arizona, and others. Various events take place on this day, such as:
Rallies and marches dedicated to the legacy of Cesar Chavez.
Rallies and gatherings that focus on workers' rights and social justice.
Educational programs and lectures in schools and universities.
Volunteer and charitable work that supports workers and their families.
In addition, in some states, this day is an official holiday for government employees.