Mexicali Commemorates 123rd Anniversary of Its Founding with Civic Ceremony

-Editorial

Local, state, and federal officials gathered on March 14 to commemorate the 123rd anniversary of the founding of Mexicali during a civic ceremony attended by government representatives, students, and members of the community.

The event was led by Mexicali Mayor Norma Bustamante and attended by Baja California Gov. Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda, along with authorities from municipal, state, and federal levels of government, as well as representatives of civil society and community leaders.

The ceremony began at 10 a.m. with a guard of honor at the Monument to the Pioneers, a landmark that recognizes the early settlers who helped establish the city. The program continued with the raising of the Mexican flag and the presentation of traditional civic honors.

In remarks during the ceremony, Bustamante reflected on the city’s origins and acknowledged the efforts of generations of residents who have contributed to Mexicali’s growth and development.

“123 years ago, Mexicali emerged from the dream and effort of pioneers who, with courageous hands, formed what we now know as our home,” Bustamante said during her address.

The program included participation from several educational institutions and military personnel. Drum and bugle corps from Colegio Meinchen Brown, Secondary Technical School No. 18, CONALEP Mexicali I, and Preparatoria 16 de Septiembre performed as part of the ceremony.

Members of the 23rd Cavalry Regiment also took part in the civic honors and the official program.

The ceremony featured a musical performance by a group known as Los Tres Tenores Cachanillas, who performed selections for those in attendance.

Mexicali was founded on March 14, 1903, and has since developed into the capital of Baja California and one of the region’s key economic, industrial, and agricultural centers. The city is widely associated with the term “cachanilla,” a nickname tied to a desert plant native to the area that has become part of the region’s cultural identity.

Officials said the anniversary serves as an opportunity to reflect on the city’s history and recognize the efforts of the generations who have contributed to its development.