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Spain conquers the rest of Mexico and Spanish settlers arrive. Mexico is part of the colony of New Spain.
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The Mexican War of Independence begins led by Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo.
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Miguel Hidalgo is executed by the Spanish.
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Agustin de Iturbide is declared the first Emperor of Mexico.
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Guadalupe Victoria takes office as the first President of Mexico. Mexico becomes a republic.
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Santa Anna becomes president for the first time.
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The Texas Revolution begins.
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The Mexican army led by Santa Anna is defeated by the Texans led by Sam Houston at the Battle of San Jacinto. Texas declares its independence from Mexico as the Republic of Texas.
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The United States Army occupies Mexico City.
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The Mexican-American War ends with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The U.S. gains territory including California, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada.
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"La Reforma" period, characterised by liberal reforms limiting the power and landholdings of the Catholic Church.
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Santa Anna is exiled from Mexico.
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The French invade Mexico and install Maximilian of Austria as president in 1864.
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Benito Juárez expels the French and becomes president.
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The Mexican Revolution begins led by Emiliano Zapata.
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President Porfirio Diaz, who ruled as dictator for 35 years, is overthrown and replaced with revolutionary Francisco Madero.
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The Mexican Constitution is adopted.
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Revolutionary hero and military leader Pancho Villa is assassinated.
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The National Mexican Party is formed. It will later be named the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). The PRI will rule the Mexican government until the year 2000.
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President Lazaro Cardenas begins programme of oil nationalisation, land reform and industrial expansion.
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Mexico joins the Allies in World War II declaring war on Germany and Japan.
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A huge 8.1 level earthquake hits Mexico City. Much of the city is destroyed and over 10,000 people are killed.
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1993 - The North American Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and the United States is ratified.
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Vicente Fox is elected president. He is the first president not from the PRI party in 71 years.
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Conservative candidate Felipe Calderon is declared the winner of presidential elections with a razor-thin majority over his leftist rival, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
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Left-wing former mayor of Mexico City, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, is inaugurated president after winning an overwhelming victory in the July presidential election.
