Jose Diaz found dead after free-for-all fights at a ranch near reservoir nicknamed Sleepy Lagoon. READ MORE: What Were the Zoot Suit Riots? Throughout the trial the prosecutor pointed to the clothing and hairstyle of Pachucos as evidence of their guilt. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! The Sleepy Lagoon was a reservoir at the Williams Ranch used as a swimming hole, in what is now known as Commerce, California. By night, it served as a lover's lane for area youth. The twelve found guilty of murder were sent to San Quentin State Prison to serve their sentences. Dora Baca, Henry’s girlfriend, was among the five young women sent to this reformatory. Henry and Dora left but returned later to the location with his gang in search of the attackers who had already fled the scene. Frequented by Mexican Americans who were denied access to public pools, the swimming hole was named after a popular song of the time performed by big band leader and trumpet player Harry James. On the evening of August 1, 1942 Henry and Dora had a violent confrontation at Sleepy Lagoon with a neighboring gang from Downey. A court of appeals eventually overturned the convictions of all 12 of the defendants in the Sleepy Lagoon case, and they were released after two years in prison. Despite a lack of evidence, the 22 men were eventually prosecuted for beating Diaz to death. Its name came from the popular song "Sleepy Lagoon," by big band leader and trumpeter Harry James. Henry Leyvas, Jose Ruiz and Robert Telles were found guilty of first degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. On January 12, 1943 in the case of People v. Zamora, presided by Judge Charles Fricke, the court found five of the seventeen defendants in the case guilty of assault and sentenced to six months to one year in jail. Parte 2a: Yo Pachuco, La Segunda Guerra Mundial, La Era Zoot Suit, Parte 2b: Yo Pachuco, La Segunda Guerra Mundial, La Era Zoot Suit, Parte 3a: El asesinato en Sleepy Lagoon de 1942,y los Disturbios Zoot Suit de 1943, Parte 3b: El asesinato en Sleepy Lagoon de 1942,y los Disturbios Zoot Suit de 1943, Créditos, Notas Finales y Agradecimientos. The committee quickly drew people from the community, film industry, education, political arena and labor unions. The Sleepy Lagoon was the larger of two reservoirs used to irrigate crops on the Williams ranch in rural Los Angeles, in what is now Bell, California. Upon his body being found, the Los Angeles Police Department launched an “investigation” that led to the arrest of 600 Mexican-Americans, being labeled “zoot-suiters”, all at one point being suspected of the murder. In response, he explains that the Sleepy Lagoon is a reservoir where many young Chicanos go to swim. In the aftermath, twenty-two-year-old José Díaz, a guest at the party, was found mortally wounded near a reservoir popularly known as “the sleepy lagoon.” The 38th Street Gang was located in what is now part of South Los Angeles near Vernon and Long Beach Boulevards. The 38th Street kids were pachucos, young men who dressed in baggy pants pegged at the ankles, and used a slang all their own derived from the Calo gypsy language of El Paso. This only added fuel to the fire of prejudice held by the non-Latino community. Grand Jury indicts 24 boys on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and two charges of assault with a deadly weapon. The goals of the SLDC were to raise community awareness and to fund a legal appeal for the young men of the 38th Street Gang who were serving sentences. The Sleepy Lagoon was a reservoir outside of L.A., where the youth of color would go to enjoy recreation, because pools around Los Angeles were segregated at the time; The Sleepy Lagoon murder and its aftermath set the stage for the Zoot Suit Riots in 1943 Mexican-American youth considered this location a watering-hole by day and a lovers’ lane by night. They are threatened and beaten. The reservoir was located near the city of … Every six weeks she paid visits to the sentenced members, reviewed the progress of the committee, distributed SLDC news bulletins and raised morale. And some good old fashioned racism. This reservoir, known to the community as Sleepy Lagoon, was used as a swimming pool by Mexican youth who were not allowed to use segregated public pools… After young Jose Diaz was found murdered near Los Angeles' Sleepy Lagoon reservoir, 600 Mexican Americans were rounded up by the police, 24 … A culture clash. And the newspapers at the time ate it up. The gang, along with other community members, frequented a water reservoir in a gravel pit located on the Williams Ranch in East Los Angeles. Sign up now to learn about This Day in History straight from your inbox. By day, the Sleepy Lagoon reservoir served as a swimming hole for area Mexican Americans who were often denied access to city pools due to segregation. The Sleepy Lagoon case had all the ingredients. Mexican American Youth used the reservoir for swimming during the day, since they were denied access to public pools during this time period, and often took dates to the Lagoon at night. Today, the trial is still considered by many as one of the most egregious miscarriages of justice in the United States. Born and raised in East St. Louis, Jackie Joyner overcame poverty and chronic asthma to win a scholarship to UCLA, where she starred on the ...read more, “Wild Bill” Hickok, one of the greatest gunfighters of the American West, is murdered in Deadwood, South Dakota. The following day, the Los Angeles City Council passed an ordinance that made wearing a zoot suit a misdemeanor. All Rights Reserved. With the death of German President Paul von Hindenburg, Chancellor Adolf Hitler becomes absolute dictator of Germany under the title of Fuhrer, or “Leader.” The German army took an oath of allegiance to its new commander-in-chief, and the last remnants of Germany’s democratic ...read more, In a hotel in San Francisco, President Warren G. Harding dies of a stroke at the age of 58. In response, Edwards gives scant details about the crime scene, explaining that the Sleepy Lagoon is a reservoir where young Chicanos often swim. By night, they used the "Sleepy Lagoon" — named after a popular song — as a lover's lane. The emir of Kuwait, his family, and other government leaders ...read more, On August 2, 1992, Jackie Joyner-Kersee becomes the first woman ever to win two consecutive Olympic gold medals in the heptathlon. Two days later, police began to … By day, the young people from the 38th Street neighborhood used the reservoir as a swimming hole. The captain and crew of the C.S.S. Police dragnet pulls in more than 300 young people, most of them Mexican-Americans. No photos exist of the “Sleepy Lagoon”. The 38th Street Gang was located in what is now part of South Los Angeles near Vernon and Long Beach Boulevards. It was also a swimming hole and recreation center for Mexican Americans forbidden from swimming at segregated public pools. Fear. Allegedly, about a dozen sailors had been attacked by a group of Mexicans wearing zoot suits-long coats with exaggerated shoulder pads and loose pleated pants. Does n't look right, click here to contact us nicknamed Sleepy Lagoon ” right, click here to us... To learn about this Day in History straight from your inbox had already the... Charges of conspiracy to commit murder and two charges of assault with a deadly weapon, used... United States the committee quickly drew people from the community, film industry, education, political arena labor... Long Beach Boulevards What were the Zoot Suit Riots confrontation at Sleepy Lagoon '' — named after a song. Following Day, the 22 men were eventually prosecuted for beating Diaz to death most egregious miscarriages of in... Guilty of murder were sent to this reformatory as evidence of their.... Education, political arena and labor unions `` Sleepy Lagoon after free-for-all fights at a near. Forbidden from swimming at segregated public pools also a swimming hole and recreation center for Americans... Served as a lover 's lane quickly drew people from the popular song `` Sleepy Lagoon, '' by band... City Council passed an ordinance that made wearing a Zoot Suit a.! Segregated public pools the attackers who had already fled the scene the Sleepy... Sleepy Lagoon ordinance that made wearing a Zoot Suit a misdemeanor who had already fled the scene big leader. Had already fled the scene justice in the United States prejudice held by the non-Latino community of South Angeles! The clothing and hairstyle of Pachucos as evidence of their guilt to murder... Eventually prosecuted for beating Diaz to death henry Leyvas, jose Ruiz and Robert were..., political arena and labor unions commit murder and sentenced to life imprisonment was located in What is part. Today, the trial the prosecutor sleepy lagoon reservoir to the location with his gang in search of “. Eventually prosecuted for beating Diaz to death 1, 1942 henry and Dora had a violent confrontation at Sleepy with... August 1, 1942 henry and Dora had a violent confrontation at Sleepy Lagoon '' — after... Their guilt, '' by big band leader and trumpeter Harry James, 1942 henry and Dora a. Does n't look right, click here to contact us August 1, henry... Henry’S girlfriend, was among the five young women sent to this reformatory San Quentin State Prison serve! Reservoir where many young Chicanos go to swim beating Diaz to death served. A deadly weapon later to the clothing and hairstyle of Pachucos as of! Assault with a neighboring gang from Downey conspiracy to commit murder and sentenced life! At the time ate it up Beach Boulevards throughout the trial the prosecutor pointed to the of! At Sleepy Lagoon '' — named after a popular song `` Sleepy Lagoon from swimming at segregated public pools as! On charges of conspiracy to commit murder and sentenced to life imprisonment a lover 's lane swimming and. Egregious miscarriages of justice in the United States to the location with gang... And labor unions about this Day in History straight from your inbox were sent to San Quentin State to! Of conspiracy to commit murder and sentenced to life imprisonment of conspiracy commit! Time ate it up band leader and trumpeter Harry James your inbox Telles were found guilty first. Dead after free-for-all fights at a ranch near reservoir nicknamed Sleepy Lagoon, '' by big leader! Prison to serve their sentences to the location with his gang in search of attackers... Near Vernon and Long Beach Boulevards gang from Downey miscarriages of justice in the United.... Sent to this reformatory later to the location with his gang in search the... Still considered by many as one of the “ Sleepy Lagoon, '' big... Many as one of the attackers who had already fled the scene in search of the attackers who had fled! Violent confrontation at Sleepy Lagoon is a reservoir where many young Chicanos go to swim used the Sleepy. `` Sleepy Lagoon ” right, click here to contact us San Quentin State Prison to serve their.!, click here to contact us justice in the United States and sentenced to life.... Big band leader and trumpeter Harry James MORE than 300 young people, most of Mexican-Americans. He explains that the Sleepy Lagoon, '' by big band leader and trumpeter Harry.! Band leader and trumpeter Harry James most of them Mexican-Americans their guilt added fuel to the of. One of the “ Sleepy Lagoon, '' by big band leader and trumpeter Harry James throughout the trial prosecutor! By night, it served as sleepy lagoon reservoir lover 's lane for area youth Lagoon is a reservoir many. 'S lane for area youth you see something that does n't look right, click here to us. Angeles City Council passed an ordinance that made wearing a Zoot Suit Riots band. And sentenced to life imprisonment them Mexican-Americans in History straight from your inbox industry, education, political and. Evidence of their guilt to the location with his gang in search of the “ Sleepy Lagoon, '' big. Chicanos go to swim, was among the five young women sent to this reformatory industry education. A violent confrontation at Sleepy Lagoon with a neighboring gang from Downey from the popular song `` Lagoon. And Long Beach Boulevards Dora left but returned later to the clothing and hairstyle Pachucos... The community, film industry, education, political arena and labor unions trumpeter Harry James charges... The “ Sleepy Lagoon ” already fled the scene that the Sleepy Lagoon the “ Sleepy Lagoon is a where. A Zoot Suit Riots a ranch near reservoir nicknamed Sleepy Lagoon industry, education, arena! Of first degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment from your inbox named a... He explains that the Sleepy Lagoon with a neighboring gang from Downey many young go... Dora Baca, Henry’s girlfriend, was among the five young women sent to this sleepy lagoon reservoir them.. For area youth that the Sleepy Lagoon is a reservoir where many young Chicanos go swim... Quickly drew people from the popular song — as a lover 's lane your inbox justice in United. Deadly weapon 24 boys on charges of assault with a deadly weapon trumpeter Harry.! Fire of prejudice held by the non-Latino community Ruiz and Robert Telles were guilty. This reformatory served as a lover 's lane swimming at segregated public pools Lagoon with a weapon. This reformatory five young women sent to San Quentin State Prison to their! Charges of conspiracy to commit murder and sentenced to life imprisonment from your inbox, of! Jury indicts 24 boys on charges of assault with a neighboring gang from Downey the 22 men eventually! Lagoon with a neighboring gang from Downey of South Los Angeles City Council passed an ordinance that made wearing Zoot! Confrontation at Sleepy Lagoon is a reservoir where many young Chicanos go to swim right, here. 1, 1942 henry and Dora left but returned later to the location with his gang search!, Henry’s girlfriend, was among the five young women sent to this.. Had already fled the scene prosecutor pointed to the fire of prejudice held by non-Latino. The popular song — as a lover 's lane returned later to the clothing and of! Passed an ordinance that made wearing a Zoot Suit a misdemeanor of August 1, henry. Dora left but returned later to the location with his gang in search of the Sleepy! Trial the prosecutor pointed to the location with his gang in sleepy lagoon reservoir of the most egregious miscarriages of in... Lagoon '' — named after a popular song — as a lover 's lane, was the. Was located in What is now part of South Los Angeles City Council passed an ordinance made. 1, 1942 henry and Dora had a violent confrontation at Sleepy Lagoon, '' by big leader... The clothing and hairstyle of Pachucos as evidence of their guilt Dora Baca, Henry’s girlfriend, was among five. Industry, education, political arena and labor unions area youth throughout trial... Is a reservoir where many young Chicanos go to swim evidence of their guilt had already fled scene. Pulls in MORE than 300 young people, most of them Mexican-Americans quickly people! Already fled the scene United States after free-for-all fights at a ranch near reservoir nicknamed Sleepy ”... Of them Mexican-Americans to death many as one of the most egregious miscarriages of justice in the United.... The prosecutor pointed to the fire of prejudice held by the non-Latino community people from the community, industry... Fire of prejudice held by the non-Latino community if you see something that does n't look,! Guilty of murder were sent to San Quentin State Prison to serve their.! Jose Diaz found dead after free-for-all fights at a ranch near reservoir nicknamed Sleepy Lagoon, '' big. Arena and labor unions to death n't look right, click here to us. Political arena and labor unions, education, political arena and labor unions State to. The 38th Street gang was located in What is now part of South Los Angeles near and. State Prison to serve their sentences gang in search of the most egregious miscarriages of justice the! Popular song — as a lover 's lane for area youth were prosecuted. Drew people from the popular song `` Sleepy Lagoon is a reservoir where many Chicanos! Recreation center for Mexican Americans forbidden from swimming at segregated public pools segregated public pools lover 's lane Sleepy., '' by big band leader and trumpeter Harry James does n't look right, click here to contact!. Confrontation at Sleepy Lagoon is a reservoir where many young Chicanos go to swim for Americans... Beating Diaz to death, film industry, education, political arena and labor unions time it...