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Jan 1, 1485
Hernan Cortes is born
Hernan Cortes was born in Medellín Spain. -
Jan 1, 1504
A voyage to the New World
Hernan decided to sail to the New World and make a life for himself there. He sailed to what is now Haiti. -
Jan 1, 1506
The Spanish take Cuba
Cortes worked with the governor of Hispaniola, who took Cortes on a conquest of Cuba. Cortes was rewarded with land and slaves. -
Jan 1, 1518
Hernan Cortes is sent to Mexico
Diego Valasquez named Cortes the captain of an expedition to Mexico. After a fight, though, he fired Cortes' status. Cortes went against Valasquez's wishes and sailed on to Mexico against orders. -
Jul 1, 1519
Cortes takes over Veracruz
Cortes sailed into Veracruz and took it by force. He tried to meet with Montezuma, the Aztec king, but Montezuma refused. -
Nov 1, 1519
Cortes takes Montezuma hostage
The Aztec people tried to give Cortes gold and other treasures. But he took Montezuma hostage ruling Tenochtitlan through Montezuma. -
Jul 1, 1520
Cortes kills Montezuma
When Montezuma couldn't get the Aztecs to accept Cortes as their leader, Cortes had Montezuma killed. -
Aug 13, 1521
Cortes takes over the Aztec Empire
With Montezuma dead, Cortes took over the Aztec's capital city. It was the end of the Aztec Empire. -
Oct 1, 1533
Cortes discovers the peninsula of California
He discovers the peninsula of California but then returned to Spain. -
Dec 2, 1547
Cortes dies
While living in Spain Cortes passes away.
