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1600 BCE
Olmecs
The mother of Mexican cultures. Located in the states of Veracruz and Tabasco. The first great culture in Mexican territory. -
1000 BCE
Mayans
This is the date of the construction of the first big city. Researchers believe that some smaller groups laid the base for the great Mayan culture. Those groups date way back to 6000 BC. -
Period: 500 BCE to 900
Zapotecas
They settled in the states of Guerrero, Oaxaca and Puebla. They were a big civilization. Their capital city was Monte Alban and they were strongly impacted by the Olmecs. -
400 BCE
Mayans Part 2
This civilization really needs two entries. In my opinion is the greatest civilization of our country. They knew a lot of things of medicine, science, astronomy, architecture. This century is the turning point that made Mayans a really big civilization. -
Period: 100 to 650
Teotihuacans
One of the greatest civilizations from Mesoamerica, but the most mysterious of them all. They suddenly disappeared and left the greatest city at the time. They are strongly related to gods and spirituality. -
564
Zamá
On this year historians believe that it was the earliest activity in the city of Zamá, or maybe you know this site as Tulum. One of the most important trading sites for the Mayans. -
Period: 1000 to 1500
Aztecs
The bosses of the center of Mexico and part of Central America. They managed in a very short period of time get control of all the region. They were a violent and dominant civilization. That violence was a strong point against them when the Spanish soldiers arrived to Mexico. -
Period: 1200 to 1500
Mexicas
This culture was the mix of various nomad civilizations. Also some groups that were unpleased with the way Aztecs conquered land. They lived in a region called Mesoamerica. This culture was the last one before the Conquest. This one is often confused with the Aztecs. -
1519
Conquer
The beginning of the Spanish regime in Mexico. The period called "Virreinato" -
Aug 13, 1521
Fall of Tenochtitlán
On this day after a fierce battle between Mexicas and Spanish soldiers the city of Tenochtitlán fell under the power of Hernán Cortés. The interesting part of this is the fact that some natives fought alongside the Spanish invaders. These natives were angry with the Mexica government. -
Sor Juana Inés De la Cruz
A gifted girl since the beginning. She started to read and write at the age of 3 and made her first "serious" text at the age of 8. She defied the society at the time, because women at the time didn't knew how to write. She became recognized by powerful people, this allowed her to keep writing and studying. -
Period: to
Mexican Independence
A social movement that wanted justice for the people. The Spanish government was cruel and evil in more than one way. This movement was led by some people that we call today heroes. This movement laid the base of the country that today we call Mexico, and more important, we call it home. -
Death of Miguel Hidalgo
Aka. "El padre de la patria". He was the spark that started a change, a really big change. He was a priest that really got worried about the situation of the people at the time. He was killed by the Spanish army in Guanajuato and his head was exhibited in public as a threat to the rebels. He was featured in the 1000 pesos bill. -
José María Morelos y Pavón gets killed
He is considered one of the most important people to make Mexico an independent country. He was born in Michoacán and played a crucial role in the war. -
Period: to
Porfirio Díaz Government
This one is bitter and sweet at the same time. During this period Mexican society suffered the struggles of a dictatorship. On the other side, almost all Mexican monuments got constructed during this time. Art won a lot of terrain during this time, but society lost a lot. -
José Clemente Orozco
The third of the 3 great Mexican muralists. His work prevails in "El Palacio de Bellas Artes" and in "El Hospicio Cabañas". His style was realistic expressionism. His work reflected strong social critics and day to day life. -
Diego Rivera
On this day one of the greatest, if not the greatest Mexican painter of all times. He was known for his style and because his political orientation and his statements. He defended his ideas with all his life. -
Gran Hotel de la Ciudad de México
This building is the best example of Art Nouveau in Mexico. It features a stained glass mosaic in its roof. On this year it was bought by a French man to become the first mall in Mexico. In 1968 if became an Hotel. -
David Alfaro Siqueiros
From my point of view he is the greatest Mexican muralist. He is considered along Diego Rivera and Clemente Orozco. The highlights of his work can be seen in his museum in Mexico City, including the worlds biggest mural "La Marcha de la Humanidad" -
Frida Kahlo
By far the most famous Mexican female painter, not the best, but the most known. Her background made people develop interest in her work. Her paintings transmitted the most raw stories out there and once in a while they carried a really dark background.
"Pies para que los quiero si tengo alas para volar" -
Ángel de la Independencia
In this year this monument gets inaugurated. This construction was ordered by Porfirio Díaz to commemorate the centenary of the independence war. This monument is the symbol of Mexico. It became an icon. -
Monument to the Revolution
The first stone is laid by the president of that time Porfirio Díaz. At that time this building was planned to be Mexico's legislative palace. If built as planned, it would have been the biggest building of his class in America. The project was stopped because the Revolution war and was never completed. The main cupola is what today is called "Monumento a la Revolución" -
Period: to
Mexican Revolution War
Started out with one goal in mind, stop Porfirio Diaz dictatorship. Even though that was the main reason. The truth is that people started to fight without a real reason, or even without a reason. This movement was ugly, but it opened the way for a new type of art. This war gave meaning to a lot of things and made people think about the situation at the time. -
Octavio Paz
Nobel Prize winner. One of the greatest Mexican writers of all time. Born in Mexico City. He starts his career at the age of 17. Later he studied and worked in Spain and in the USA. He represented Mexico in other countries serving as ambassador in India, and serving in Japan as charge d'affaires. He is featured in an special edition 20 pesos coin. -
María Félix
"La diva de la epoca del cine de oro". Was an actress. To be more specific, the most famous Mexican actress at the time. She became a fashion symbol, to the point that Cartier made her custom pieces to fit her style. She managed to be recognized outside Mexico. -
Tin Tan
Actor, singer and comedian. One of the greatest actors from the golden era of Mexican cinema. He shaped the concept of "Pachucos" that are Mexicans with a strong influence from the United States. He did everything, he worked in more than 100 movies, he did also radio programs and he also translated movies. -
Leonora Carrington
Ironically she was born in England. She arrived to Mexico in 1942 because WWII and the Spanish Civil War. She is what you think when you hear surrealism. Her impact was strong enough to be considered part of Mexican culture. -
Pedro Infante
Mexican actor and singer. His work even though is old, is still up to date. He is the symbol that comes to your mind when you think in a Mexican Charro. His style shaped the way charros are today. His music mostly comes out of his movies. He died in a mysterious way, in an aircraft accident. -
Palacio de Bellas Artes
Designed by Adamo Boari by order of Porfirio Diaz. Was the first space of its type, a space meant just to display art. Since its opening it has hold paintings from Diego Rivera and Clemente Orozco. It is an architectural icon. Its style is strongly influenced by Art Deco -
Vicente Fernández
aka "the king". Born as a poor man being son of a farmer and a housewife. Developed an interest in music since he was 6 years old. His idol was Pedro Infante. His career developed slowly and in stages. He singed at a competition in Guadalajara when he was 14 years old. Then he became member of various mariachi groups -
Torre Latinoamericana
On this day the skyscraper got inaugurated. It was the tallest building at the time in Latin America. It quickly became an icon of Mexico City. In the 44th floor you can get the best view available of Mexico City. -
Tlatelolco Massacre
This was a dark event that shaped the future for the Mexican people. The impact was of such magnitude that up to this day we can see the effects of this massacre. Some people say that it was necessary, some other say that it was a coward act from the government at the time. -
La Marcha de la Humanidad
On this year the worlds biggest mural is finished by its author David Alfaro Siqueiros. This giant painting shows the rough reality that our society faces daily. The building that holds this mural is called the "Polyforum". While you watch the painting, you can hear a narration made by Siqueiros himself. -
Avándaro
This festival was a turning point for Mexican music. This festival laid the first stone for the Mexican Rock genre. It showed the extreme oppression that Mexicans suffered at the time. You couldn't hear what you wanted. Government controlled music. That changed today. This festival showed us the taste of freedom. -
Chichén Itzá
In this year the ancient Mayan city gets categorized as Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the UNESCO. This was at some point the biggest city in the region. Apart from big, powerful. -
El Caballito de Reforma
This sculpture ironically serves a practical purpose. Vent gases from the sewer system. But its main function is to bring beauty and color to the gray city. This little yellow horse was designed by Enrique Carbajal, and it was inaugurated on this day. -
Molotov's Debut
They launched the album "Donde jugaran las niñas" as their first studio album. Their music is a strong critic to the flaws of the system. They sing about how unfair is society, how bad is the government. Their music is strong and it isn't for everyone. But they make some good stuff. -
I was born this day hahahahahahaha
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Estela de Luz
On this day this monument meant to commemorate the 200th anniversary of our independence was opened. It symbolizes the unity of Mexicans today and in the future. It also features a little space in the base meant to see the "greatness" of this building. one of the most controversial things during the government of Felipe Calderón.