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Cezar is born
Born on March 31, 1927, in Yuma, AZ -
Parents lose farm
1937 Chavez’s parents lose their farm and begin work as migrant workers -
Family moves
Cezar Chavez's parents move to California as migrant workers -
Works full time
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). -
Chalenges Segregation
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. -
Joins navy
Chavez fought in world war 2 in the U.S. navy -
Leaves Navy
Chavez leaves world war 2 in the U.S. navy -
Married
Cezar Chavez and Helen Fabela are married. -
Joins the fight
Chavez joins the Community Service Organization (CSO). -
Becoming director
Chavez became general director of CSO -
forms the union
Chavez forms the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA). -
Starts writing newspapers
Chavez starts El Malcriado: The Voice of the Farm Worker, the official newspaper of the NFWA. -
Goes on strike
NFWA members go on strike against grape growers and start a local grape boycott. -
Gets help
Senator Robert Kennedy supports the NFWA grape boycott. -
Starts the march
Chavez leads a 250-mile march from Delano to Sacramento, California, to let the public and law-makers know about the mistreatment of. -
Hunger Strike
Chavez starts his first hunger strike; it lasts for 25 days in February and March (it was done to stop violence against strikers). -
No grapes
The nationwide boycott of California grapes begins. -
No pesticides
Pesticide use is regulated. -
Going to prison
Chavez is jailed for defying a court order against boycotting. -
UNF becomes UNF
The name of the NFWA changes to United Farm Workers (UFW). -
Changing laws
The California Labor Relations Act was passed; it was the first law that protected the rights of organizations of farm -
Chavez leads second march
Chavez leads a 1,000-mile march through the Central Valley of California, in order to call attention to the union elections. -
El cortito is banned
The use of the short-handled hoe (el cortito) is banned by the Supreme Court. -
No more boycotts
Chavez announces that all general lettuce and grape boycotts are ended. -
No grapes part 2
Chavez announces a new grape boycott, due to the excessive use of pesticides. -
Fixing pesticides
Chavez announces a new grape boycott, due to the excessive use of pesticides. -
March number 3
Chavez leads a 1,000-person march calling for improved working conditions in farms. -
Cezar dies
Cesar Estrada Chavez dies during a fast. in San Louis, AZ -
Recognition
Chavez is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. -
Getting honored
California establishes a state holiday on Chavez's birthday to honor him. -
Last hoorah
The US Post Office issues a Cesar Chavez stamp (first class, 37¢).