9. He Died for His Cause
Cesar Chavez died on April 23, 1993 in his birthplace Yuma, Arizona. He was reported to have died peacefully in his sleep and although fasting is not listed as the official cause of death, it is believed that his many hunger strikes contributed to his demise.
10. Medal of Freedom
In 1994, President Clinton awarded Chavez the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously. His widow, Helen Chavez accepted America’s highest civilian honor for her late husband. At the August 8 ceremony, President Clinton had this to say: “The farm workers who labored in the fields and yearned for respect and self-sufficiency pinned their hopes on this remarkable man who, with faith and discipline, soft spoken humility and amazing inner strength, led a very courageous life.”
