September 19th in Mexico: A Date Marked by Bitter Memories

September 19th in Mexico is a date filled with bitter memories, and even today, many believe it to be a date marked by destiny.

September 19th in Mexico is remembered as a day of tragedy. But what happened on a September 19th in Mexico?

On September 19th, 1985, a significant event occurred in Mexico, one that is remembered with sadness.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador led a flag-raising ceremony at half-mast in Mexico City’s Zócalo in memory of the people who lost their lives in the earthquakes of September 19th, 1985, and 2017.

In fact, after the September 19th, 1985 earthquake, the National Civil Protection System was established in response to the magnitude 8.1 Richter scale earthquake that struck Mexico.

The purpose of this commemoration is to recognize the effort and dedication of those whose sole intention was to safeguard the physical well-being of thousands of families.

September 19th in Mexico: 1985

On Thursday, September 19th, 1985, an earthquake struck Mexico at 7:17 in the morning, reaching a magnitude of 8.1 on the Richter scale.

The epicenter of the earthquake was located in the Pacific Ocean near the mouth of the Balsas River on the coast of the state of Michoacán.

The affected areas were the central, southern, and western parts of the country.

The tremor caused severe damage to hundreds of buildings in the capital and completely altered the image of Mexico City.

The exact number of victims remains unknown. To this day, it is the deadliest earthquake recorded in contemporary Mexican history.

A significant aftershock occurred one day later, on the night of September 20th, causing further collapses of already weakened structures and buildings.

September 19th in Mexico, 2017

But on September 19th in Mexico, in another year, 2017, there was another deadly day for Mexicans.

On September 19th, 2017, the National Seismological Service reported an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 on the Richter scale, located on the state border between Puebla and Morelos, 120 kilometers from Mexico City.

The earthquake occurred exactly 32 years after the 8.1 Richter scale earthquake that struck Mexico in 1985 and was strongly felt in the central region of the country, happening at 1:14 in the afternoon.

The tremor resulted in over 100 fatalities, isolated fires, and the collapse of dozens of buildings. Approximately 2 million people were left without electricity for several hours.

So, every September 19th in Mexico, Mexicans remember both the national holidays and earthquakes.

This fear associated with the so-called “patriotic month” and earthquakes increases when the date falls on September 19th because, unexpectedly, two of the worst earthquakes to hit Mexico have occurred on that day.

The 1985 earthquake exceeded the 2017 one by 10 points in magnitude.

It is even known that the 1985 earthquake released 32 times more seismic energy than the one in 2017.

While the 1985 earthquake had a magnitude of 8.1, its epicenter was much farther, off the coast of Michoacán, over 400 kilometers from the capital.

In contrast, the 2017 earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.1, had its epicenter in Morelos, just 120 kilometers south of Mexico City.

On September 19th, 2023, López Obrador left the National Palace accompanied by the Secretaries of Security, Rosa Icela Rodríguez; the Navy, Rafael Ojeda; National Defense, Luis Cresencio Sandoval; Interior, Luisa María Alcalde; and the Mayor of Mexico City, Martí Batres, all to pay their respects on the memory of a bitter date.

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