Democracy in Mexico

Spain's Conquest

Feb 18, 1519

Small Spanish army led by Hernan Cortes lands at Veracruz, marking the start of Spain's conquest of Mexico.

Tenochtitlan

Mar 27, 1521

Allied with native anti-Aztec forces, Cortes' men capture the capital Tenochtitlan (modern-day Mexico City).

Independence

Sep 16, 1810

War of Independence ends with the creation of the short-living Mexican Empire, which includes Central America to the southern border of modern-day Costa Rica, as well as what is now the southwestern US.

Federal Republic

Nov 1, 1823

Mexico becomes a federal republic after the ouster and exile of Emperor Augustin de Iturbide. Central American provinces secede, becoming the countries of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

La Reforma

Nov 23, 1855

"La Reforma" period, characterised by liberal reforms limiting the power and landholdings of the Catholic Church.

Porfiriato

Nov 28, 1876

Porfirio Diaz's 35-year-long dictatorship - known as the "Porfiriato" - brings a long period of stability, modernisation and economic growth, but at the price of political repression and stagnation.

Revolution

Nov 20, 1910

Mexican Revolution ends the Porfirio Diaz dictatorship and leads to establishment of a constitutional republic.

PRI

Mar 4, 1929

The National Revolutionary Party is formed. In 1946 it is re-named the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI.

Tlatelolco

Oct 2, 1968

Student demonstration in Tlatelolco, Mexico City, during the Olympic Games is fired upon by Mexican security forces. Hundreds of protesters are killed or wounded. The extent of the violence shocks the country.

Earthquake

Sep 19, 1985

Earthquake in Mexico City kills thousands and makes many more homeless.