Cesar Chavez Day

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Cesar Chavez Day
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Poster commemorating Cesar Chavez Day
Observed by(1) A formal holiday in US states of Arizona, California, and Utah
(2) An optional holiday in US state of Colorado, state offices open with limited staffing
(3) A festival day in Nebraska and Nevada
(4) A commemorative proclamation holiday by the United States
DateMarch 31
Next timeMarch 31, 2027 (2027-03-31)
Frequencyannual

Cesar Chavez Day is a U.S. federal commemorative holiday, proclaimed by President Barack Obama in 2014.[1] The holiday celebrates the birth and legacy of the civil rights and labor movement activist Cesar Chavez, a cofounder and president of the United Farm Workers union, on March 31 every year.

In March 2026, following public allegations that Chavez had sexually abused women and minors, the United Farm Workers union halted celebrations of the holiday,[2] joined by other organizations and local and state governments. Several jurisdictions, including California, renamed it Farmworkers Day to celebrate the broader movement.[3][4]

Observances by state

State Observance
Arizona A paid holiday observed by the cities of Phoenix (as Farmworkers Day)[5] and Tucson,[6] all schools in the Tucson Unified School District and some schools in Phoenix, Arizona are closed on the holiday.
California March 31,[7] moved to the following Monday when March 31 falls on a Sunday,[8] is designated as the state holiday "Farmworkers Day" (formerly "Cesar Chavez Day"). Public schools may, but are not required to, close in observance.[9][10]
Colorado Declared as an optional holiday on March 31[11]
Utah State offices are closed and school is optional[12]

Origins

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File:Cesar chavez crop2.jpg
César Chávez in 1974

Cesar Chavez (born Cesar Estrada Chavez, Script error: No such module "IPA".; March 31, 1927 – April 23, 1993) was an American farm worker, labor leader and civil rights activist, who, with Dolores Huerta, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (later the United Farm Workers union, UFW).[13]

It is commemorated to promote service to the community in honor of Cesar Chavez's life and work. Some state government offices, community colleges, libraries, and public schools are closed. Texas also recognizes the day, and it is an optional holiday in Arizona (official holiday in the cities of Phoenix and Tucson) and Colorado. Americans are urged to "regard this day with appropriate service, community, and educational programs to honor Cesar Chavez's enduring legacy."[14] In addition, there are celebrations in his honor in Arizona, Michigan, Nebraska, and New Mexico and was observed in California from 1995 to 2025,[15] and in Colorado since 2001 as state holidays (optional in Colorado).[16]

History

Proclamations

On March 31, 2008, while a senator, Barack Obama endorsed the idea of creating a national holiday in Chavez's honor: "Chavez left a legacy as an educator, environmentalist, and a civil rights leader. And his cause lives on. As farm workers and laborers across America continue to struggle for fair treatment and fair wages, we find strength in what Cesar Chavez accomplished so many years ago. And we should honor him for what he's taught us about making America a stronger, more just, and more prosperous nation. That's why I support the call to make Cesar Chavez's birthday a national holiday. It's time to recognize the contributions of this American icon to the ongoing efforts to perfect our union."[17] Grassroots organizations continued to urge creation of such a national holiday; and, on March 30, 2011, Obama as president reiterated his support: "Cesar Chavez's legacy provides lessons from which all Americans can learn."[18]

The City of Sacramento passed a resolution recognizing Chavez's birthday as a city holiday on July 27, 1993, shortly after his death.[19]

Cesar Chavez Day has been celebrated in Reno, Nevada, since 2003. A state law passed in 2009 (AB 301) requires Nevada's governor to annually issue a proclamation declaring March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day.

On March 28, 2014, President Obama used his authority to proclaim March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day.[20]

National holiday movement

File:Santana Acer Arena (5558151833) (cropped).jpg
Carlos Santana, leader of national movement to declare Cesar Chavez Day a national holiday

Cesar Chavez Day as a national holiday has gained support from musician Carlos Santana, civil rights and labor leaders.[21] Rallies were held in 2006 in Los Angeles with the goal of raising awareness beyond California. Currently, a major obstacle to this day becoming a national holiday is caused by a rule in Congress that prevents bills with national holiday provisions from being introduced. The holiday proposal would need to overcome that obstacle before legislation can be introduced.[22]

Derecognition following Chavez sexual abuse allegations

Following public allegations in March 2026 that Chavez had sexually abused women and minors, including fellow activist leader Dolores Huerta, the United Farm Workers union cancelled its Cesar Chavez Day events.[2] The cities of Los Angeles and Phoenix signed proclamations renaming the holiday to "Farmworkers Day".[23][24] The State of California approved legislation to do the same.[25][26]

In Texas, which had observed the day as an optional holiday since 2000, Texas Governor Greg Abbott directed state agencies to cease commemoration of Chavez and said he would work to have the holiday officially removed from state law.[27] In Washington state, which had marked the day since 2018, Governor Bob Ferguson said April 10, the birthday of Dolores Huerta, would be celebrated in place of Chavez's.[28]

Reception

The day highlights the legacy of Cesar Chavez and focuses on Chicano or Mexican Americans efforts in the labor movement.[29] Events surrounding the holiday largely ignore the actions of the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee, and its Filipino American membership and leadership, who began the Delano Grape Strike which propelled Cesar Chavez to international notoriety.[30] Because of this, Filipino Americans have been critical of the day's focus, which excludes acknowledgement of their history.[31]

See also

References

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  1. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Presidential Proclamation – Cesar Chavez Day". whitehouse.gov. March 28, 2014. Retrieved March 30, 2016 – via National Archives.
  2. ^ a b Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Singh, Maanvi (March 17, 2026). "United Farm Workers union cancels Cesar Chavez events over abuse allegations". The Guardian. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  3. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Lathan, Nadia (March 26, 2026). "California moves to erase César Chávez's name after sex abuse allegations surface". CalMatters. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  4. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Gonyea, Don (March 29, 2026). "March 31, formerly César Chávez Day, is now Farmworkers Day in California". NPR. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  5. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Cesar Chavez Day (Observed) (City Offices Closed)".
  6. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."City Holidays". www.tucsonaz.gov. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  7. ^ Cal. Gov. Code § 6700(a)(7), eff. Jan. 1, 2023. Accessed April 2, 2024.
  8. ^ Cal. Gov. Code § 6701(a), eff. Jan. 1, 2023. Accessed April 2, 2024.
  9. ^ Cal. Educ. Code § 37220.5, eff. Mar. 26, 2026. Accessed March, 2026.
  10. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Lathan, Nadia (March 26, 2026). "California moves to erase César Chávez's name after sex abuse allegations surface". CalMatters. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  11. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Cesar Chavez Day in the United States". www.timeanddate.com.
  12. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Wilson, Jenny (March 31, 2011). "A Not-Quite National Holiday: Eight States Celebrate Cesar Chavez Day". Time.
  13. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Cesar Chavez". Points of Light. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  14. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Presidential Proclamation—Cesar Chavez Day". whitehouse.gov. March 30, 2011 – via National Archives.
  15. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Lathan, Nadia (March 26, 2026). "California moves to erase César Chávez's name after sex abuse allegations surface". CalMatters. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  16. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Cesar Chavez Day in United States
  17. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Barack Obama calls for National Holiday for Cesar E. Chavez, archived from the original on May 12, 2007
  18. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Presidential Proclamation—Cesar Chavez Day", whitehouse.gov, March 30, 2011 – via National Archives
  19. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Resolution No. 93-435". Sacramento City Council. July 27, 1993. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  20. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Presidential Proclamation – Cesar Chavez Day, 2014", whitehouse.gov, March 28, 2014 – via National Archives
  21. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Cesar E. Chavez National Holiday". www.cesarchavezholiday.org. Archived from the original on May 12, 2007.
  22. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Archive, ABC7. "Cesar Chavez supporters rally for a national holiday | ABC7 Los Angeles Archive | abc7.com". ABC7 Los Angeles.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Mayor Bass signs proclamation renaming LA's Cesar Chavez Day holiday as Farmworkers Day". ABC7 Los Angeles. March 19, 2026. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  24. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Resnik, Brahm (March 18, 2026). "Phoenix to remove Cesar Chavez's name from city sites amid sexual assault allegations". KPNX. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  25. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Lathan, Nadia (March 26, 2026). "California moves to erase César Chávez's name after sex abuse allegations surface". CalMatters. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
  26. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."California moves to rename Cesar Chavez Day after recent sexual abuse allegations". The Guardian. March 19, 2026. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  27. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Garcia, Michael (March 18, 2026). "Gov. Greg Abbott stops Texas observance of Cesar Chavez Day after abuse allegations surface". Houston Chronicle. Houston, TX. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  28. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Yoon-Hendricks, Alexandra (March 19, 2026). "WA won't honor labor leader Cesar Chavez after sex abuse report". Seattle Times. Seattle, WA. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  29. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Foner, Nancy; Fredrickson, George M. (April 22, 2004). Not Just Black and White: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on Immigration, Race, and Ethnicity in the United States. Russell Sage Foundation. p. 211. ISBN 978-1-61044-211-4.
    Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Tatum, Charles M. (September 5, 2017). Chicano Popular Culture, Second Edition: Que Hable El Pueblo. University of Arizona Press. p. 244. ISBN 978-0-8165-3652-8.
    Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Meier, Matt S.; Gutiérrez, Margo; Gutierrez, Margo (2003). The Mexican American Experience: An Encyclopedia. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 83. ISBN 978-0-313-31643-2.
    Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Cesar Chavez Changed The Way Our Country Treats Immigrant Farm Workers But There's Still A Lot Of Work To Be Done". Mitu. June 12, 2019. Archived from the original on February 28, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
    Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Clark, Christine (March 21, 2012). "UC San Diego Salutes Cesar Chavez Day with Month of Activities in April". University of California, San Diego. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  30. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Rojas, Leslie Berestein (April 1, 2011). "The forgotten history of the Filipino laborers who worked with Cesar Chavez". KPCC. Pasadena. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
    Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Tabafunda, James (November 22, 2013). "Filipino American organizer's legacy ignored, but not by all". Northwest Asian Weekly. Seattle. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  31. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Muriera, Ron P.; Orpilla, Mel (March 28, 2014). "FANHS Speaks Out on the New Film CESAR CHAVEZ". Filipino American National Historical Society. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
    Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Oh, Hansook (March 27, 2012). "Remembering the Delano Manongs: The Filipinos behind Chavez and Huerta". The Sundial. California State University, Northridge. Retrieved February 27, 2020.

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