March 31st
César Chávez Day is a U.S. federal commemorative holiday, proclaimed by President Barack Obama in 2014. The holiday celebrates the birth and legacy of the civil rights and labor movement activist César Chávez on March 31 every year.
Cesar Chavez: Respect for All
(U.S. 1945 – current, Diversity; Hispanic-Americans & California; SEL: Leadership; GBLTQ; Caring for Animals; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [10+; 22 minutes]
At the end of the lesson for Cesar Chavez: Respect for All, show students the speech that actor Joaquin Phoenix gave when accepting the Best Actor award at the 2020 Academy Awards. Ask them to describe the similarities between his philosophy and that of Cesar Chavez. Click here to download the speech.
THE SPIRIT OF CESAR CHAVEZ LIVES ON!
Chavez was one of the civil rights leaders of the 1960s who inspired a young Joseph R. Biden to go into public service. A bust of Cesar Chavez has an honored place in the Oval Office. Click here, for a full explanation of this and of Cesar Chavez’ legacy.