Caesar Chavez Day (31/03)

Every year on March 31, many US states celebrate Caesar Chávez Day, or César Chávez Day, and in eight states this day is a public holiday. This is the birthday of social rights activist César Estrada Chávez (March 31, 1927 — April 23, 1993). Chavez's efforts were primarily aimed at improving the situation and working conditions of agricultural workers.

Caesar Chavez was born near Yuma in Arizona. At the age of 10, he began working with the rest of his family on someone else's farm — family lost their own farm during the Great Depression. He attended more than 30 schools and completed his education in eighth grade.

In 1946, Chavez entered the United States Navy and served in the Western Pacific. After his service, he returned to central California and married Helen Fabela. He began his career in 1952, working in a public organization in the Latin American Civil Rights Group. In the late 1950s, he became their national director, but resigned in 1962 to form the — union of the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA).

In 1965, Chavez and the NFWA led a strike in California by grape harvesters demanding higher wages, organizing a national boycott of California table grapes, the result being the first major victory for American migrant workers. Chavez then continues to fight against major producers, including three hunger strikes over wages and working conditions. Returning to his studies, hundreds of books on philosophy, economics, cooperatives and unions appear in his office.

Caesar Chavez became an American hero in the struggle for the labor rights of Mexican migrant farm workers. An interesting fact is that Chavez was also a vegetarian.

Many cities renamed streets or schools after Chavez: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Houston, Albuquerque, Austin, Milwaukee, Washington, Kansas City, Missouri, St. Paul, Salt Lake City, and Phoenix. California cities - Sacramento, San Diego, Berkeley and San Jose - also renamed parks in his honor. In 2004, the United States Postal Service issued a postage stamp with a portrait of Chavez.

Caesar Chavez Day is a weekend in California; in 2000, state legislatures approved a bill to establish a public holiday to honor the national hero on his birthday. In Texas, Arizona, and Colorado, it is an additional holiday.

Caesar Chavez Day is the first holiday in United States history to honor American and Mexican labor leaders.

6