Chicano History

1848

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Article VII. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, 1848

1910

Mexican Revolution

"The Mexican Revolution forces Mexicans to cross the border into the United States, in search of safety and employment." 

- Learning for Justice, Latino Civil Rights Timeline, 1903 to 2006

1911

El Primer Congreso Mexicanista

"The first large convention of Mexicans to organize against social injustice, El Primer Congreso Mexicanista, meets in Laredo, Texas." 

- Learning for Justice, Latino Civil Rights Timeline, 1903 to 2006

1921

Immigration Act of 1921

"The Immigration Act of 1921 restricts the entry of southern and eastern Europeans. Agricultural businesses successfully oppose efforts to limit the immigration of Mexicans." 

- Learning for Justice, Latino Civil Rights Timeline, 1903 to 2006

1929

League of United Latin American Citizens Mexican Americans

"League of United Latin American Citizens Mexican Americans formed organizations to protect themselves from perceived discrimination." 

- Learning for Justice, Latino Civil Rights Timeline, 1903 to 2006

1942

Bracero Program

"The Bracero Program begins, allowing Mexican citizens to work temporarily in the United States. U.S. growers support the program as a source or low-cost labor. The program welcomes millions of Mexican workers into the U.S. until it ends in 1964."

- Learning for Justice, Latino Civil Rights Timeline, 1903 to 2006

1943

Zoot Suit Riots

Zoot suiters lined up outside Los Angeles jail en route to court after feud with sailors. 9 Jun, 1943.

1947

Mendez v. Westminster

"Mendez v. Westminster Supreme Court, prohibited segregating Latino schoolchildren from white children"

- Learning for Justice, Latino Civil Rights Timeline, 1903 to 2006

1953

"Operation Wetback"

"During "Operation Wetback" from 1953 and 1958, the U.S. Immigration Service arrests and deports more than 3.8 million Latin Americans. Many U.S. citizens are deported unfairly, including political activist Luisa Moreno and other community leaders."

- Learning for Justice, Latino Civil Rights Timeline, 1903 to 2006

1954

Hernandez v. Texas

"Hernandez v. Texas, ruling which declared that Mexican Americans and other historically-subordinated groups in the United States were entitled to equal protection under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution."

- Learning for Justice, Latino Civil Rights Timeline, 1903 to 2006

1962

United Farm Workers Movement

United Farm Workers convention. 27 Sep. 1973.

1965

Voting Rights Act of 1965

"The Voting Rights Act of 1965, The Voting Rights Act of 1965 now also allows Mexican Americans to vote." 

- Learning for Justice, Latino Civil Rights Timeline, 1903 to 2006

1968

School Walkouts

United Way. Historical Photos from the 1968 East L.A. Walkouts. 1968.

1970

Chicana Movement

"The Chicana Movement Emerges, Chicana women considered feminists. Their objective was to overcome sexist oppression not only from the outside society but also within the Chicano culture."

- Learning for Justice, Latino Civil Rights Timeline, 1903 to 2006

1970

Chicano Moratorium

Chicano Moratorium, 1970. Photo by George Rodriguez.

1974

Lau v. Nichols

"In the case Lau v. Nichols, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirms the 1970 memorandum, ruling students' access to, or participation in, an educational program cannot be denied because of their inability to speak or understand English. The lawsuit began as a class action by Chinese-speaking students against the school district in San Francisco, although the decision benefited other immigrant groups, as well."

- Learning for Justice, Latino Civil Rights Timeline, 1903 to 2006

1994

Proposition 187

"The fight over California's Proposition 187 brings the debate over immigration --particularly undocumented immigration -- to the front pages of the national press. The ballot initiative galvanizes students across the state, who mount a widespread campaign in opposition. Voters approve the measure preventing undocumented immigrants from obtaining public services like education and health care."

- Learning for Justice, Latino Civil Rights Timeline, 1903 to 2006

2004

Minuteman Project

"The Minuteman Project begins to organize anti-immigrant activists at the U.S./Mexico border. The group considers itself a citizen's border patrol, but several known white supremacists are members. During the next two years, the Minuteman Project gains widespread press coverage. Immigrant rights supporters conduct counter-rallies in public opposition to the Minuteman Project's tactics and beliefs."

- Learning for Justice, Latino Civil Rights Timeline, 1903 to 2006

2010

U.S. Census Bureau Statistic

"More than half of the growth in the total U.S. population between 2000 and 2010 was because of the increase in the Hispanic population. Between 2000 and 2010, the Hispanic population grew by 43 percent, rising from 35.3 million in 2000 to 50.5 million in 2010. The rise in the Hispanic population accounted for more than half of the 27.3 million increase in the total U.S. population. By 2010, Hispanics comprised 16 percent of the total U.S. population of 308.7 million."

- U.S. Census Bureau. 2010 Census Shows America's Diversity, 24 Mar. 2011

2017-2021

Donald Trump Presidency

"When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. [...] They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."

- Donald J. Trump, "Presidential Announcement Speech", 2015.