Born near Yuma, Arizona, on March 31, 1927, Cesar Chavez employed nonviolent means to bring attention to the plight of farmworkers, and formed both the National Farm Workers Association, which later became United Farm Workers. As a labor leader, Chavez led marches, called for boycotts and went on several hunger strikes. It is believed that Chavez's hunger strikes contributed to his death on April 23, 1993, in San Luis, Arizona. (4:00)
Cesar Chavez Speaks at the National Museum of Mexican Art - Watch Cesar Chavez' last presentation to the Mexican Community at the National Museum of Mexican Art on April 15, 1993.(5:22)
In 1968, Cesar Chavez led a boycott that resulted in a collective bargaining agreement guaranteeing field workers the right to unionize. Learn more about how Chavez grew from migrant farm worker to civil rights champion in this video. (4:10)