The post–World War II years saw a significant rise in political and social activism in the Hispanic community, particularly on the West Coast. They also produced nationally recognized personalities who came to symbolize the movement such as Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, and Rosalio Munoz.

Similar to many civil rights and revolutionary movements in the 1960s, they also experienced heavy state surveillance and police brutality. The Chicano Movement sparked national conversations on the political and social autonomy of Hispanic groups everywhere in the United States. The Hispanic community embarked on a social movement aimed at combating institutional racism, increasing cultural hegemony, and guaranteeing equal labor and political rights.

Cesar Chavez, Migrant Workers Union Leader, 1972.

during these years with varying missions: racial equality and desegregation, labor rights, gender equality, anti-war, and political inequality. A host of grassroots movements and organizations formed in the U.S. Social, economic, cultural, and political change was widespread in the 1960s, fueled by evolving norms, breaking traditions, and protesting inequality at all levels of society.

Today’s post comes from Thomas Richardson, an archives technician at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Visit the National Archives website for resources on related records and how we are commemorating the month.

Dolores huerta united farm workers