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Feb 19, 1517
Francisco Hernández de Córdoba
Francisco Hernández de Córdoba was the first European to visit Mexican territory, He came from Cuba with three ships and 100 men. Some of the local native population cdid not like the Spanish Explorers and killed 50 of them and captured many more. Córdoba’s gave reports back within his return to Cuba. This in turn triggered Diego Velásquez eventually to send a larger force back to Mexico. -
May 20, 1520
The Temple Masacre
During this event, Spanish conquistadors had a hold on the city of Tenochtitlan, now called Mexico City. On May 20, Aztec nobles asked Pedro de Alvarado for permission to hold a traditional festival, and he allowed it. According to Alvartado, the Aztecs were planning a rebellion, and according to the Aztecs, Alvarado and his men wanted the golden jewelry they wore. In any case, Alvarado ordered his men to attack the festival, resulting in the slaughter of hundreds of harmless Aztec nobles. -
The Siege of Guanajuato
Father Miguel Hidalgo'srebel army was moving towards Mexico City, towards the city of Guanajuato. Spanish soldiers and citizens hid themselves inside the royal granary. Although they tried to defend themselves Hidalgo's army was too large, and when they reached the granary many Mexicans were injured, taken, or killed. -
The Battle of Calderon Bridge
On this day a rebellious army of peasants and workers led by Father Miguel Hidalgo and Ignacio Allende fought a smaller but better equipped and trained Spanish force at Calderon Bridge, outside of Guadalajara. The rebel defeat helped drag out Mexico's War of Independence for years and led to the capture and execution of Allende and Hidalgo. -
Mexican American War Started
This war was the first U.S. armed conflict chiefly fought on foreign soil. U.S. President James K. Polk, who believed the United States had a “manifest destiny” to spread across the continent to the Pacific Ocean was at war with his men against Mexico. The Rio Grande is what started off the fighting and was followed by a series of U.S. victories. When the dust cleared, Mexico had lost nearly all of present-day California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona & New Mexico. -
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Mexican American War
This war was the first U.S. armed conflict chiefly fought on foreign soil. U.S. President James K. Polk, who believed the United States had a “manifest destiny” to spread across the continent to the Pacific Ocean was at war with his men against Mexico. The Rio Grande is what started off the fighting and was followed by a series of U.S. victories. When the dust cleared, Mexico had lost nearly all of present-day California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona & New Mexico. -
Cinco de Mayo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoEBen2eV-YThis day symbolizes the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867). In the United States Cinco de Mayo has even evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations. Cinco de Mayo traditions include parades, mariachi music performances and street festivals in cities and towns across Mexico. -
Mexican Revolution
The Mexican Revolution begins when Madero issues the Plan of San Luis Potosí, promising democracy, federalism, agrarian reform and worker’s rights and declaring war on the Díaz regime. By 1911, Díaz is forced to step aside and Madero is elected president, but conflict and violence continue for the better part of the next decade. -
The Battle of Celava
On April 6, 1915, two titans of the Mexican Revolution collided outside of the town of Celaya. Alvaro Obregon got there first, and dug himself in with his machine guns and trained infantry. Pancho Villa soon arrived with a massive army including the best cavalry in the world at the time. Over the course of ten days, these two would fight it out, and Villa's loss marked the beginning of the end for his hopes of being the last man standing. -
Mexico Hosts Olympics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC6vBFBilaAAs a symbol of its growing international status, Mexico City is chosen to host the Olympic Games. On October 2, ten days before the games, Mexican security forces and military troops face an open fire. Though the resulting death and injury toll is concealed by the Mexican government (and their allies in Washington), at least 100 people were killed and many others werewounded. However, the Olympic games just a few days later went on as planned. -
Earthquake in Mexico City
On this day, an earthquake in Mexico City kills nearly 10,000 people and causes a lot of damage. The Mexican residents, along with the government’s response to their situation, form grassroots organizations that turned into a full-fledged human rights and civic action movement during the late 1980s and 1990s.
