History of Mexico Timeline

(1200 BCE - Present)

The history of Mexico spans thousands of years, from the rise of great Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec, through Spanish conquest and colonial rule, to independence in 1821, the turbulent Mexican Revolution, and the development of modern democratic Mexico. More Less

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Pre-Columbian Era

Founding of Teotihuacan

100

The great city of Teotihuacan rose in the Valley of Mexico, becoming one of the largest cities in the ancient world. Its massive pyramids of the Sun and Moon dominated Mesoamerica for centuries before its mysterious decline around 550 CE.

Image source: Teotihuacan

Rise of the Maya city-states

250 - 900

The Classic period of Maya civilization flourished in southern Mexico, with powerful city-states like Palenque, Calakmul, and Yaxchilan developing advanced writing, astronomy, mathematics, and monumental architecture.

Image source: Maya civilization

Fall of Teotihuacan

550

Teotihuacan declined and was largely abandoned, likely due to internal strife, resource depletion, and invasions. Its fall reshaped political power across Mesoamerica and paved the way for new powers like the Toltecs.

Toltec dominance in central Mexico

900 - 1150

The Toltecs built a powerful empire centered at Tula, influencing much of Mesoamerica with their military prowess and culture. Their legacy deeply shaped later Aztec mythology and claims of legitimacy.

Image source: Toltec

Founding of Tenochtitlan

1325

The Mexica (Aztecs) founded their capital Tenochtitlan on an island in Lake Texcoco, guided by a prophecy involving an eagle perched on a cactus. The city grew into one of the largest and most sophisticated in the world.

Image source: Tenochtitlan

Formation of the Aztec Triple Alliance

1428

Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan formed the Aztec Triple Alliance, creating an empire that dominated central Mexico through conquest and tribute until the Spanish arrival nearly a century later.

Image source: Aztec Empire

Colonial Period

Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire

Feb 1519 - Aug 13, 1521

Hernán Cortés led Spanish forces and indigenous allies against the Aztec Empire. After sieges, alliances, and devastating smallpox epidemics, Tenochtitlan fell to the conquistadors, ending Aztec rule and beginning Spanish colonization.

Image source: Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire

Fall of Tenochtitlan

Aug 13, 1521

After a brutal siege lasting months, Cuauhtémoc surrendered to Cortés, marking the definitive end of the Aztec Empire and the symbolic beginning of New Spain on the ruins of the Aztec capital.

Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe established

1531

According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill, becoming Our Lady of Guadalupe. Her veneration fused indigenous and Catholic traditions and became central to Mexican national identity.

Image source: Our Lady of Guadalupe

Puebla de los Ángeles founded

Apr 16, 1531

Puebla was founded as a planned Spanish settlement intended to support trade between Mexico City and Veracruz. It grew into a major colonial center renowned for its architecture, ceramics, and cuisine.

Image source: Puebla (city)

Establishment of the Viceroyalty of New Spain

1535

Spain formally established the Viceroyalty of New Spain with Antonio de Mendoza as its first viceroy, organizing colonial administration that would govern Mexico for nearly three centuries.

Image source: New Spain

Great Northern Expedition-era mining boom at Zacatecas

1546

The discovery of rich silver deposits at Zacatecas launched one of colonial Mexico's most important mining centers, fueling the Spanish Empire's economy and driving northward expansion of New Spain.

Image source: Zacatecas

Chichimeca War

1550 - 1590

A prolonged conflict between Spanish colonists and nomadic Chichimeca peoples in northern New Spain, ended partly through 'peace by purchase,' which involved providing goods to indigenous groups rather than continued warfare.

Image source: Chichimeca War

Manila Galleon trade route established

1565 - 1815

The Manila Galleon linked Acapulco with the Philippines, creating a lucrative trans-Pacific trade route that brought Asian goods, silver flows, and cultural exchange to New Spain for 250 years.

Image source: Manila galleon

Construction of Mexico City Cathedral begins

1573 - 1813

Built atop the ruins of the Templo Mayor, the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral became the centerpiece of colonial religious life, taking 240 years to complete and blending Gothic, Baroque, and Neoclassical styles.

Image source: Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral

1692 Mexico City riot

Jun 8, 1692

Food shortages and grain speculation sparked a major riot in Mexico City, during which crowds burned the viceregal palace, exposing deep social tensions within colonial society.

Image source: Mexico City Riot of 1692

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz dies

Apr 17, 1695

The death of Sor Juana, the brilliant nun, poet, and scholar known as the 'Tenth Muse,' marked the loss of colonial Mexico's greatest intellectual figure and a pioneering voice for women's education.

Image source: Juana Inés de la Cruz

Independence and Early Republic

Grito de Dolores launches Mexican War of Independence

Sep 16, 1810

Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla issued his famous cry for independence in the town of Dolores, igniting an eleven-year war against Spanish rule that would ultimately create the nation of Mexico.

Image source: Cry of Dolores

Execution of Miguel Hidalgo

Jul 31, 1811

After early rebel victories, Hidalgo was captured and executed by Spanish authorities in Chihuahua, but he became a martyr whose memory inspired the continuing independence struggle.

Image source: Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla

Plan of Iguala proclaimed

Feb 24, 1821

Agustín de Iturbide and Vicente Guerrero issued the Plan of Iguala, proposing the Three Guarantees—religion, independence, and unity—which united royalist and insurgent forces behind independence.

Image source: Plan of Iguala

Treaty of Córdoba recognizes Mexican independence

Aug 24, 1821

Spanish Viceroy Juan O'Donojú signed the Treaty of Córdoba, formally recognizing Mexico's independence and ending three centuries of Spanish colonial rule.

Image source: Treaty of Córdoba

First Mexican Empire under Agustín de Iturbide

May 19, 1822 - Mar 19, 1823

Iturbide was crowned Emperor Agustín I of Mexico, but his empire collapsed within a year amid financial crisis and opposition, leading to his abdication and exile.

Image source: First Mexican Empire

Constitution of 1824 establishes federal republic

Oct 4, 1824

Mexico adopted its first constitution as an independent nation, establishing a federal republic with states, a bicameral congress, and a president, modeled partly on the United States system.

Image source: 1824 Constitution of Mexico

Texas Revolution and independence

Oct 2, 1835 - Apr 21, 1836

American settlers in Texas revolted against Mexican rule, declaring the Republic of Texas after victories including San Jacinto. The loss foreshadowed further territorial conflicts with the United States.

Image source: Texas Revolution

Pastry War with France

Nov 1838 - Mar 9, 1839

France blockaded Veracruz demanding compensation for damages to French citizens, including a pastry chef's shop. Mexico's defeat forced payment and briefly boosted Santa Anna's political standing.

Image source: Pastry War

Mexican–American War

Apr 25, 1846 - Feb 2, 1848

War between Mexico and the United States resulted in decisive American victories, including the capture of Mexico City, and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ceded over half of Mexico's territory, including California and the Southwest.

Image source: Mexican–American War

La Reforma liberal reforms begin

1855 - 1861

Liberal reformers led by Benito Juárez enacted sweeping changes limiting Church power, separating church and state, and promoting civil rights, provoking fierce conservative resistance and civil war.

Image source: La Reforma

Second French Intervention and Second Mexican Empire

Dec 1861 - Jun 19, 1867

France invaded Mexico and installed Maximilian I as emperor. Republican forces under Benito Juárez resisted, and Maximilian was captured and executed in 1867, restoring the republic.

Image source: Second French intervention in Mexico

Battle of Puebla (Cinco de Mayo)

May 5, 1862

Mexican forces under General Ignacio Zaragoza defeated the French army at Puebla, an unlikely victory celebrated annually as Cinco de Mayo, symbolizing Mexican resistance to foreign intervention.

Image source: Battle of Puebla

Modern Mexico

Porfiriato: Díaz era begins

1876 - 1911

Porfirio Díaz ruled Mexico for over three decades, modernizing infrastructure and attracting foreign investment while suppressing dissent, creating prosperity for elites alongside deep inequality that fueled revolution.

Image source: Porfirio Díaz

Mexican Revolution begins

Nov 20, 1910 - 1920

Francisco Madero called for revolt against Díaz, sparking a decade-long revolution involving figures like Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata that transformed Mexican politics and society.

Image source: Mexican Revolution

Constitution of 1917 adopted

Feb 5, 1917

Revolutionary leaders drafted a progressive constitution guaranteeing land reform, labor rights, secular education, and national control over natural resources; it remains Mexico's governing document today.

Image source: Constitution of Mexico

Cristero War

1926 - 1929

Catholic rebels rose up against anticlerical policies of the post-revolutionary government, resulting in a bloody conflict resolved through negotiated peace brokered with U.S. mediation.

Image source: Cristero War

Oil expropriation by Lázaro Cárdenas

Mar 18, 1938

President Cárdenas nationalized foreign oil companies, creating PEMEX, a landmark assertion of economic sovereignty celebrated annually in Mexico.

Image source: Mexican oil expropriation

Mexico enters World War II

May 22, 1942

After German submarines sank Mexican tankers, Mexico declared war on the Axis powers and sent the Escuadrón 201 fighter squadron to serve in the Pacific, strengthening ties with the United States.

Image source: Mexico during World War II

Tlatelolco massacre

Oct 2, 1968

Government forces opened fire on student protesters in Mexico City's Plaza de las Tres Culturas days before the Olympics, killing hundreds and marking a dark chapter of authoritarian rule.

Image source: Tlatelolco massacre

1985 Mexico City earthquake

Sep 19, 1985

A magnitude 8.0 earthquake devastated Mexico City, killing thousands and exposing government inefficiency, spurring grassroots civic organization that influenced democratization.

Image source: 1985 Mexico City earthquake

NAFTA takes effect

Jan 1, 1994

The North American Free Trade Agreement among Mexico, the United States, and Canada transformed Mexico's economy, boosting exports while sparking debates over inequality and rural displacement.

Image source: North American Free Trade Agreement

Zapatista uprising in Chiapas

Jan 1, 1994

The Zapatista Army of National Liberation seized towns in Chiapas on NAFTA's launch day, drawing global attention to indigenous rights and poverty and reshaping Mexican politics.

Image source: Zapatista Army of National Liberation

PRI loses presidency after 71 years

Jul 2, 2000

Vicente Fox of the PAN defeated the long-ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party, marking a historic democratic transition after seven decades of single-party dominance.

Image source: 2000 Mexican general election

Key Facts

Great Mesoamerican civilizations, including the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec, flourished in Mexico long before European contact, building advanced cities, pyramids, and calendars.
In 1521, Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés conquered the Aztec Empire, beginning nearly 300 years of Spanish colonial rule known as New Spain.
Mexico gained independence from Spain on September 27, 1821, after a war of independence that began in 1810 with Miguel Hidalgo's famous 'Grito de Dolores'.
The Mexican Revolution (1910-1920) was a major armed struggle that overthrew dictator Porfirio Díaz and led to significant social and land reforms.
Mexico is a federal republic whose modern constitution was established in 1917, and it celebrates its independence on September 16 each year.

Source

This History of Mexico timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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