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The Aztecs arrived in the Mexico Central Valley.
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The mighty Aztecs conquer their chief rivals in the city of Azcapotzalco and emerge as the dominant force in central Mexico.
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Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, the first European to visit Mexican territory, arrives in the Yucatán from Cuba with three ships and about 100 men.
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Cortés sets sail from Cuba with 11 ships, more than 450 soldiers and a large number of supplies, including 16 horses.
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Cortés and his men arrive in Tenochtitlan.
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The Tlascalans and other native allies of the Spaniards, and a Spanish force sent by Velásquez to contain Cortés. Cortés finally defeats the forces of Montezuma’s nephew, Cuauhtémoc.
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Napoleon Bonaparte occupies Spain, deposes the monarchy, and installs his brother, Joseph, as head of state.
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Father Manuel Hidalgo, a priest in the small village of Dolores, issues his famous call for Mexican independence.
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Another priest, Jose Morelos, succeeds Hidalgo as leader of Mexico’s independence movement and proclaims a Mexican republic.
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After revolt in Spain ushers in a new era of liberal reforms there, conservative Mexican leaders begin plans to end the viceregal system.
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Iturbide, who earlier declared himself emperor of the new Mexican state, is deposed by his former aide.
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Santa Anna himself becomes president after leading the successful resistance against Spain’s attempt to recapture Mexico in 1829.
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The U.S. declares war on Mexico. The U.S. quickly smother their enemy with superior force, launching an invasion of northern Mexico.
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Defeat in the war against the United States serves as a catalyst for a new era of reform in Mexico.
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Benito Júarez, a Zapotec Indian, emerges from the War of the Reform as the champion of the victorious liberals.