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Jan 1, 1325
Aztecs start to build their capital city, Tenochtitlan.
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Jan 1, 1517
Bad Omens Begin
A series of evil omens had foretold of calamities to come. A fiery comet crossed the sky. The temple of Huitzilopochtli, the god of war, burst into flames. The Lake of Mexico boiled and rose, flooding into houses. -
Jan 1, 1519
Cortes Expedition Enters Mexico
Cortes expedition enters Mexico. Cortes expedition makes a show of force to intimidate Teudile and his men. The Aztecs attack the Spanish and imprison many of Cortes' soldiers. -
Apr 20, 1519
Cortes Presented Gifts
Cortes is presented gold and other gifts from Aztec officials. -
May 1, 1519
Cortes' Men Steal Ship
Some of Cortes' men decide to steal a ship and return to Cuba. Cortes has them executed and sinks the ships to make it impossible to turn back. -
Sep 1, 1519
50,000 Tlascalans fight the 400 Spaniards
50,000 Tlascalans fight the 400 Spaniards and are defeated by the superior Spanish weapons and horses.The Tlascalans provide Cortes with 10,000 warriors for his march on Tenochtitlan. -
Oct 1, 1519
Cortes Massacres Local Nobility
Cortes continues on to Cholula and massacres the local nobility, because he suspects them of planning an ambush. -
Nov 8, 1519
Spanish Enter Tenochtitlan
The Spanish enter the city of Tenochtitlan (City of Dreams) to meet Montezuma II. Coincidentally, this day, 1 Wind, is Quetzalcoatl's day, attributed to the whirlwind, when robbers and wizards are supposed to do their worst, robbing and violating. -
Jun 1, 1520
Montezuma Killed
Montezuma is killed by the Spanish. Two-thirds of the Spanish and 40,000 Tlaxcalan allies die in battle as they attempt to escape from the city at night. -
Aug 13, 1521
15,000 Die in Final Attack
15,000 Aztecs die in Cortes' final all-out attack on the city. The Emperor Cuauhtemoc and his last few supporters are captured by the Spaniards.