César Chávez Day was established as an official state holiday by legislation authored by Senator Richard Polanco and signed by Governor Gray Davis on August 18, 2000, to honor Latino labor leader César E. Chávez, born on March 31, 1927. César Chávez Day is intended to promote service to the communities of California in honor of Chavez's life and work. It will be celebrated on March 31, or the appropriate Monday or Friday following or preceding that date.   

According to California Education Code, Section 37220-37223: On March 31 or on the day determined by the governing board, public schools and educational institutions throughout the state may include exercises, funded through existing resources, commemorating and directing attention to the history of the farm labor movement in the United States and particularly the role therein of César Chávez. 

LACOE Board Resolution

View LACOE's Board Resolution recognizing César Chávez Day

LA County Library Resources 

Visit the LA County Library’s website to learn more about in-person programs, books and other resources to help you observe and celebrate César Chávez Day. 

California Department of Education Resources  

In 2002, the State Board of Education adopted the Model Curriculum on the Life and Work of César Chávez, the late civil rights leader who led the historic labor movement to gain social justice for California’s agricultural workers. The California Department of Education website also includes a list of resources for the public, websites, books, a research center and the biography of César Chávez, written in several languages. 

• Resources for the Public

• Information provided on these Web pages are resources for the general public interested in the life and work of César E. Chávez. Included are many pictures and documents scanned from the Walter Reuther Library archives at Wayne State University along with numerous other pictures and documents. 

• Research Center

• The site contains many original scanned documents and pictures from the Walter Reuther Library archives at Wayne State University and Fred Ross Collection. This is the first time they have been made available outside of the archives. There is also an audio clip and transcripts from 50 interviews of people who knew and worked with César E. Chávez. In addition, there are photos from Victor Aleman, Bob Fitch, El Malcriado, Cathy Murphy, Cris Sanchez, Elmar, Futirsoff, George Ballis, Glen Pearcy, Hank Gableem, J. Salazar, Manuel Echavaria, Sebastian, Jocelyn Sherman, and the UFW.   

   

Judges in the Classroom 

Judges in the Classroom, sponsored by the Power of Democracy Steering Committee, connects California classrooms with judicial officers for lessons on topics including the constitution, rule of law, and role of the judicial branch. Established by Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, the Power of Democracy Steering Committee guides and supports her civic education initiatives to further Californians’ understanding of their judicial branch. 

In the months of March and April, Judges in the Classroom offers "¡Si Se Puede!" Celebrating Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, a lesson for grades 3-12 to commemorate the birthdays of César Chávez (March 31) and Dolores Huerta (April 10). 

Using two of California's most recognized civil rights leaders as subjects, students will receive a lesson on the judicial branch, the role of the courts, and grievances brought to court. Reference material follows, which may be incorporated into a visit to your classroom from a judicial officer or reviewed with students prior to the visit. 

Submit a request for a judicial officer to visit YOUR classroom, in-person or virtually, HERE.    

National Chavez Center 

The National Chávez Center promotes and preserves the legacy of César Chávez through his images and words as well as the grounds where he spent his last years, including the César E. Chávez National Monument. They aim to protect and preserve the beautiful, sprawling estate at Nuestra Señora Reina de La Paz (Our Lady Queen of Peace), also known as La Paz, in Keene, California, where Cesar and Helen Chavez’s graves lie amidst the Memorial Gardens and where thousands of visitors pass through every year to pay homage. 

But the National Chávez Center is not just a memorial. It includes The Forty Acres in Delano, California, the former headquarters for the United Farm Workers of America and where César Chávez held his first public fast. The National Chávez Center further honors César Chávez's work and legacy through the promotion and coordination of hundreds of annual celebrations and service activities across the country. 

Plan a visit and learn more here.