MEDFORD, Ore. — On Monday celebrations took place across the nation to commemorate what would have been civil rights activist Cesar Chavez’s 81st birthday. He died in 1993.

Chavez was a civil rights activist known for his dream of justice for farm workers and immigrants. He was the co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers. Chavez’s birthday is recognized as an official state holiday in California, and many state workers were given the day off. However, some students did not. Students in Sacramento , San Jose, and Sacramento walked out of class in protest. Some were cited for truancy.

The local Latino community also held a celebration Monday night in the Medford Library. The event was sponsored by Unete, a local volunteer organization that helps farm workers learn English, find jobs, and learn about their rights.

Cesar Chavez’s birthday is now an official holiday in Medford.