Cesar Chavez Timeline

Time Event

March 31, 1927 Cesar Estrada Chavez is born in San Luis, Arizona.

1937 Chavez's parents lose their farm and begin to work as migrant laborers.

1938 Chavez's family moves to California, working as farm laborers.

1942 After graduating from 8th grade, Chavez becomes a full-time farm worker to help support his family (his father had recently been hurt in a car accident).

1944 Chavez challenges segregation (white vs. Mexican) and refuses to sit in the Mexican section of a theater; he is held in custody for an hour.

1944-1946 Chavez fought in World War 2, in the US Navy.

1948 Chavez and Helen Fabela are married.

1952 Chavez joins the Community Service Organization (CSO).

1962 Chavez forms the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA).

1964 Chavez starts El Malcriado: The Voice of the Farm Worker, the official newspaper of the NFWA.

1965 NFWA members go on strike against grape growers and start a local grape boycott.

1966 Senator Robert Kennedy supports the NFWA grape boycott.

1966 Chavez leads a 250-mile march from Delano to Sacramento, California, to let the public and law-makers know about the mistreatment of farm workers.

Feb.-March 1968 Chavez starts his first hunger strike; it lasts for 25 days in February and March (it was done to stop violence against strikers).

1968 The nationwide boycott of California grapes begins.

1969 Pesticide use is regulated.

Dec. 14, 1970 Chavez is jailed for defying a court order againt boycotting.

1974 The name of the NFWA changes to United Farm Workers (UFW).

1975 The California Labor Relations Act was passed; it was the first law that protected the rights of organizations of farm laborers .

1975 Chavez leads a 1,000 mile march through the Central Valley of California, in order to call attention to the union elections.

1975 The use of the short-handled hoe (el cortito) is banned by the Supreme Court.

1978 Chavez announces that all general lettuce and grape boycotts are ended.

1984 Chavez announces a new grape boycott, due the excessive use of pesticides.

1987 The UFW produces a film call The Wrath of Grapes, about the dangerous use of pesticides on food.

1992 Chavez leads a 1,000-person march calling for improved working conditions in farms.

April 23, 1993 Cesar Estrada Chavez dies during a fast.

1994 Chavez is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

2003 The US Post Office issues a Cesar Chavez stamp (first class, 37¢).

Time	Event
March 31, 1927	Cesar Estrada Chavez is born in San Luis, Arizona.
1937	Chavez's parents lose their farm and begin to work as migrant laborers.
1938	Chavez's family moves to California, working as farm laborers.
1942	After graduating from 8th grade, Chavez becomes a full-time farm worker to help support his family (his father had recently been hurt in a car accident).
1944	Chavez challenges segregation (white vs. Mexican) and refuses to sit in the Mexican section of a theater; he is held in custody for an hour.
1944-1946	Chavez fought in World War 2, in the US Navy.
1948	Chavez and Helen Fabela are married.
1952	Chavez joins the Community Service Organization (CSO).
1962	Chavez forms the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA).
1964	Chavez starts El Malcriado: The Voice of the Farm Worker, the official newspaper of the NFWA.
1965	NFWA members go on strike against grape growers and start a local grape boycott.
1966	Senator Robert Kennedy supports the NFWA grape boycott.
1966	Chavez leads a 250-mile march from Delano to Sacramento, California, to let the public and law-makers know about the mistreatment of farm workers.
Feb.-March 1968	Chavez starts his first hunger strike; it lasts for 25 days in February and March (it was done to stop violence against strikers).
1968	The nationwide boycott of California grapes begins.
1969	Pesticide use is regulated.
Dec. 14, 1970	Chavez is jailed for defying a court order againt boycotting.
1974	The name of the NFWA changes to United Farm Workers (UFW).
1975	The California Labor Relations Act was passed; it was the first law that protected the rights of organizations of farm laborers .
1975	Chavez leads a 1,000 mile march through the Central Valley of California, in order to call attention to the union elections.
1975	The use of the short-handled hoe (el cortito) is banned by the Supreme Court.
1978	Chavez announces that all general lettuce and grape boycotts are ended.
1984	Chavez announces a new grape boycott, due the excessive use of pesticides.
1987	The UFW produces a film call The Wrath of Grapes, about the dangerous use of pesticides on food.
1992	Chavez leads a 1,000-person march calling for improved working conditions in farms.
April 23, 1993	Cesar Estrada Chavez dies during a fast.
1994	Chavez is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
2003	The US Post Office issues a Cesar Chavez stamp (first class, 37¢).