Conquist of México Tenochtitlan

Cortes arrives in Mexico

Feb 27, 1519

After being in Cuba since 1511, Cortés left the island around February 10 with 11 ships and more than 600 men. It arrives around February 27 on the island of Cozumel, in southeastern Mexico.

"Villa de Santa María de la Victoria"

Mar 12, 1519

Cortés arrived in the state of Tabasco and defeats the Mayan-Chontal Indians at the Battle of Centla, where he founded the now-extinct Villa de Santa María de la Victoria, the first Spanish city in Mexican territory. The towns give tribute to 20 women, including Malinche, who accompanied the Spaniard and served as a language interpreter.

Veracruz Foundation

Apr 22, 1519

The Spanish advanced north and founded the "Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz."
Gifts arrive from Moctezuma, the tlatoani of the Aztecs, and Cortés meets his ambassadors for the first time.

Pact in Cempoala

Jun 1, 1519

At the beginning of June, the conqueror arrives at Cempoala, capital of the Totonaca people in the current state of Veracruz.

Cortes orders to destroy the ships

Aug 1, 1519

Determined to conquer Tenochtitlan, Cortés didn´t make the peace and orders the destruction of the Spanish expedition ships in Veracruz to prevent a group of disgruntled Spaniards from returning to Cuba.

Alliance with the Tlaxcalans

Sep 23, 1519

Cortés's troops arrive in Tlaxcala, where after some fighting they forge an alliance with Xicoténcatl, the chief of the Tlaxcalan Indians, to fight against the Mexicas.

Arrival in Tenochtitlan

Nov 8, 1519

The Spaniards arrive in Tenochtitlan, where Emperor Moctezuma receives Cortés with honors, with Malinche as interpreter, and hosts him in the palace of Axayácatl. Days later, on November 14, they take Moctezuma prisoner and begin the siege of the city.

The Massacre of the "Templo Mayor"

May 10, 1520

Pedro de Alvarado leads the Massacre of the Great Temple, in which the Spanish killed the Mexicas while they were performing a ceremony to the gods. Meanwhile, Cortés was in the Gulf of Mexico, where he defeated Pánfilo Narváez, who arrived with orders to arrest him for disobeying Diego Velázquez, Governor of Cuba.

The "noche triste"

Jun 30, 1520

After the death of Moctezuma, approximately on June 29, Cuitláhuac didn´t leave the throne and he becomes the new tlatoani of the Aztecs, who defeat the Spanish and the Tlaxcalans on the night of June 30. Cortés mourns his defeat on a tree, which is why the episode is known as "la noche triste".

Cuitlahuac dies

Nov 25, 1520

Cuitláhuac dies of smallpox and Cuauhtémoc becomes the last tlatoani of the Aztec empire. During this time, Cortés prepares for the reconquest of Tenochitlan after receiving reinforcements from the enemy towns of the Aztecs.

The fall of Tenochtitlan

Aug 13, 1521

After months of combat, the Spanish along with their indigenous allies seize Tenochtitlan by capturing Emperor Cuauhtémoc. The city surrenders and the conquest is consummated. King Carlos I grants Hernán Cortés the title of Governor and Captain General of New Spain.