Las Mañanitas for César Chávez’s 40th birthday

(L-R) Doug Rippey, Rodney Freeland (San Francisco office of the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee, SNCC), Agustín Lira, César Chávez, Daniel Valdez and Joe Otero stand together and laugh outside of Chávez’s house on his 40th birthday. Delano, California, March 31, 1967. Photo by Emmon Clarke.

To celebrate Cesar Chavez’s 40th birthday on March 31, 1967, a group of volunteers from the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee (UFWOC) performed a serenade outside of his home at 1221 Kensington Street in Delano. The serenade followed the Mexican tradition known as “Las Mañanitas” (Early Mornings), where the birthday person is awakened with music while still in bed. <

César Chávez dancing with Eloise Chávez on his birthday, Delano, 1967

César Chávez dances with his daughter Eloise on his 40th birthday at their home. Other people, adults and children, stand around and watch. Delano, California, March 31, 1967. Photo by Emmon Clarke.

Gloria Terronez and Daniel Valdez serenading César Chávez his birthday, Delano, 1967

Gloria Terrónez sings and Daniel Valdez plays the guitar during César Chávez’s 40th birthday celebration at Chavez’s home. Delano, California, March 31, 1967. Photo by Emmon Clarke.

Eloise Chávez standing in the door of her house, Delano, 1967

Eloise Chávez, daughter of Helen and César Chávez, stands behind the door of their house while a group of United Farm Workers Organizing Committee (UFWOC) volunteers and organizers play a serenade on César Chávez’s 40th birthday. Delano, California, March 31, 1967. Photo by Emmon Clarke.

César Chávez dancing with Eloise Chávez on his birthday, Delano, 1967

César Chávez dances with his daughter Eloise on his 40th birthday at their home. Other people, adults and children, stand around in the house. Delano, California, March 31, 1967. Photo by Emmon Clarke.

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