Human sacrifice

Aztec Historical Events

By OTHS John B
  • Jan 1, 600

    First Inhabitants settle in Mexico

    First Nahuatl speaking peoples begin to settle in Mexico
  • Jan 1, 1100

    Aztecs look for a new place to settle

    The Aztecs travel from their northern homeland of Aztlan searching for a more suitable place to settle.
  • Jan 1, 1248

    Aztecs Attempt to Settle near Lake Texcoco

    The Aztecs settled near Lake Texcoco, in Chapultepec. They are eventually kicked out by the Tepanec natives.
  • Jan 1, 1299

    Aztecs Settle in Tizapan

    The Aztecs finally settle in Tizapan, by permission of the Culhuacan ruler Cocoxtli.
  • Jan 1, 1325

    Aztecs Settle in Tenochtitlan

    The Aztecs finally manage to settle in the city of Tenochtitlan. It will become the capital of the Aztec Empire. The location is picked by the priests because it is where they see the foretold sign of an eagle holding a snake while standing on a cactus.
  • Jan 1, 1375

    Aztecs appoint first ruler/king

    The first dominant ruler or King of the Aztecs, Acamapichtli, comes into power. He has one of the most successful reigns out of all the Aztec leaders.
  • Jan 1, 1431

    Triple Alliance Is Formed

    The Triple Alliance is formed, consisting of the three cities of: Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan. This alliance would form the Aztec empire and become a dominant force.
  • Jan 1, 1452

    Flooding and Famine in Tenochtitlan

    The city of Tenochtitlán is damaged by a great flood. The next two years were filled with famine and starvation.
  • Jan 1, 1487

    Great Temple of Tenochtitlan is Completed

    This building was used as the head temple and religious facility by the Aztecs. It was very large in size, there were 78 mini temples inside of it. Over the years thousands of people were killed as human sacrifices within the temple.
  • Jan 1, 1519

    The Spanish Arrive

    Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes arrives in Tenochtitlán.
  • Jan 18, 1520

    The Fall of Tenochtitlan

    Cortes defeats the Aztecs and takes over the city of Tenochtitlán with the help of the Tlaxcalans, the Texcocons, and other native tribes. King Montezuma is also captured, taken prisoner, and eventually killed.
  • Jan 1, 1522

    The Spanish Rebuild

    The Spanish begin to rebuild the city of Tenochtitlán. It will be called Mexico City and will be the capital of New Spain.