February 26, 1936, the year in which a pivotal political development took place that changed the destiny of the once sleepy "Municipio de Zamboanga" into a highly urbanized city, that was replaced by the City of Zamboanga as a charter city upon its official inauguration on February 26, 1937.

The celebration underscores the real historical importance of Zamboanga in its political history as Zamboanga was founded when the first cornerstone for the Fort Pilar was laid on June 1, 1635 – making Zamboanga as the third oldest city in the whole Archipelago, after Cebu and Manila.

President Manuel L. Quezon signed the Commonwealth Act No. 39, authored by Congressman Juan S. Alano, on October 12, 1936, coinciding with the celebration of the Fiesta in honor of the Patron Saint of Zamboanga "Nuestra Señora del Pilar"

Zamboanga, then before the Commonwealth Act No. 39, continued to experience economic progress and social stability – making the city a leading commercial and industrial city of Mindanao.

Its modern port (pantalan) served as an important port of call of international shipping lines and commerce, such as lines plying Yokohama, Hongkong, Borneo, Singapore and Australia, as well as direct lines from the U.S.A., making the city the most cosmopolitan and westernized city in Mindanao with a confluence of cultures. These international lines traded goods for products like copra, rubber, timber, coal and other minerals.

Domestic vessels would load rice, corn, salt, and other agricultural products. This enabled Zamboanga to increase its foreign trade. Its income amounted to 3 million pesos under the American Military Governor. Zamboanga, before it became a city, was considered to be the richest province in Mindanao. It had reached a point where it no longer had to call on the National Government for aid.

Pioneers, settlers, and plantation owners organized the first American-Filipino Chamber of Commerce for Mindanao, and proposed a resolution to make Mindanao a separate entity from the National Government – which was Manila based – "proposing to annex Mindanao as a part of America, making it the agricultural capital and "coaling" station of U.S.A."

The idea of self-reliance was the consciousness of that era – as Zamboanga was pushed into the frontlines of progress and development that paved the way for its conversion into a Charter City. As it continues to be a positive symbol towards the attainment of peace and prosperity for all.