Mexico
History Timeline - Mexico
Travel through our timeline of major events in Mexico's History
300 - 900 A.D.:
The ''classical period'' for the ancient Mayan, Zapotecan and Teotihuacán people. Temples are built at the Chichén Itzá and Uxmal.
1519 - 1521:
Spanish forces led by Hernando Cortés arrive and conquer Mexico.
1810 - 1821:
Mexico fights for independence from Spain and wins it in 1821.
1836:
Texas declares its independence from Mexico. Mexicans and Texans battle at the Alamo and San Jacinto.
1848:
The U.S. wins the Mexican-American War and gains Mexican territory. The land includes what are now Nevada and Utah, plus parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming and Colorado.
1862:
Battle of Puebla. The Cinco de Mayo holiday honors this national army defeat of French invaders.
1910:
The Mexican Revolution begins when citizens rise up against oppressive rulers. A new constitution is adopted in 1917.
1968:
Mexico City hosts the first Olympic Games ever held in Latin America.
1985:
An earthquake of magnitude 8.1 strikes Mexico City. Nearly 10,000 people are killed.
1994:
A violent rebellion breaks out in Chiapas. Unrest continues today.
2000:
Vicente Fox is sworn in as the first president elected who did not belong to the ruling party