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Timeline: Mexico

Years: c. 5000 BCE - 2010	Subject: Encyclopedias, Geographical reference
Publisher: HistoryWorld	Online Publication Date: 2012
Current online version: 2012	eISBN: 9780191736759

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BCE CE

Year	Event
c. 5000 BCE	Squash and chili are the first plants to be cultivated in America, in the Tehuácan valley in modern Mexico Go to Tehuacán Valley, Mexico in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Neolithic Science Social and domestic Society Latin America Central America
c. 1500 BCE	The Maya are believed to have lived in the same region from about 1500 BC to the present day - America's longest example of continuity Go to Maya in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Mesoamerican civilization Migration Society Latin America Central America
c. 1200 BCE	San Lorenzo develops as the first centre of America's earliest civilization, that of the Olmecs Go to San Lorenzo, Mexico in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Mesoamerican civilization Latin America Central America
c. 1000 BCE	Massive stone heads carved by the Olmecs provide a dramatic beginning to the story of American sculpture Go to Olmec in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE 1000-600 BCE Mesoamerican civilization Arts Sculpture Latin America Central America The Olmecs raise large clay platforms, probably with temples at the top, beginning the long American tradition of sacred pyramids Go to Olmec in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE 1000-600 BCE Mesoamerican civilization Architecture American architecture Religion Latin America Central America
c. 900 BCE	La Venta replaces San Lorenzo as the capital city and cultural centre of the Olmecs Go to La Venta, Chiapas, Mexico in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Mesoamerican civilization Politics Latin America Central America
c. 600 BCE	An Olmec sculptor creates the piece known today as the Wrestler Go to Olmec in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE 6th century BCE Mesoamerican civilization Arts Sculpture Latin America Central America
c. 400 BCE	The Zapotecs create a great city at Monte Alban, continuing the Olmec culture Go to Zapotec in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE 4th century BCE Mesoamerican civilization Latin America Central America
c. 150 BCE	The earliest inscriptions in an American script are those of the Zapotecs, from about this period Go to Zapotec in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century BCE Mesoamerican civilization Latin America Central America
c. 50 BCE	The Maya independently develop the concept of place value in numbers, previously pioneered in Babylon Go to Maya in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE Mesoamerican civilization Science Latin America Central America The Maya introduce a calendar which has a cycle of fifty-two years, known as the Calendar Round Go to Maya in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE Mesoamerican civilization Science Astronomy and space Latin America Central America
c. 100	Teotihuacan, the dominant city in the northern highlands of central America, introduces the god Quetzalcoatl Go to Quetzalcoatl in The Oxford Companion to World Mythology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Mesoamerican civilization Religion Latin America Central America
c. 500	The temple city of Tikal is one of many Mayan city states of the Classic period Go to Tikal, Guatemala in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century 6th century Mesoamerican civilization Politics Latin America Central America Beans are gathered by the Maya from wild cocoa trees and are probably used in a chocolate drink Go to Maya in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century 6th century Mesoamerican civilization Social and domestic Society Latin America Central America Mayan priests feature in stone carvings smoking pipes and puffing the smoke towards the sacred sun Go to Tobacco in The Oxford Encyclopedia of Mesoamerican Cultures (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century 6th century Mesoamerican civilization Social and domestic Society Latin America Central America
c. 950	Toltecs move into the valley of Mexico from the north and establish a capital city at Tula Go to Toltecs in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 10th century Mesoamerican civilization Politics Conquest and colonization Migration Society Latin America Central America
c. 960	A fair-skinned and bearded king, by the name of Quetzalcoatl, is exiled from Tula but says that he will be back in a 'One Reed' year. Go to Tula, Mexico in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 10th century Mesoamerican civilization Politics Latin America Central America
987	The Mayan city of Chichén Itzá is captured by the Toltecs Go to Toltecs in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 10th century Mesoamerican civilization Politics Conquest and colonization Latin America Central America
c. 1150	The Aztecs begin to move south from their original home, which they call Aztlan, somewhere in northern Mexico Go to Aztec in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 12th century Mesoamerican civilization Migration Society Latin America Central America South America
c. 1345	The Aztecs settle on an uninhabited island in a lake, which they name Tenochtitlan — the site of the modern Mexico City Go to Tenochtitlán, Mexico in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 14th century Mesoamerican civilization Migration Society Latin America Central America
1434	The rulers of Tenochtitlan join with two other neighbouring kingdoms to form the Aztec Triple Alliance Go to Aztec in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Mesoamerican civilization Politics Latin America Central America
1487	When the enlarged pyramid at Tenochtitlan is dedicated to Huitzilopochtli, the Aztec sacrifice of human victims lasts for four days Go to Huitzilopochtli (America) in A Dictionary of World Mythology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Mesoamerican civilization Religion Latin America Central America
1513	Vasco Núñez de Balboa reaches the Pacific coast and claims the ocean for the king of Spain Go to Balboa, Vasco Núñez de (1475–1519) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Mesoamerican civilization Politics Conquest and colonization Exploration European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Europe Society Empires Latin America Central America
1519	The Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortes lands on the coast of Mexico with 600 men, 16 horses and about 20 guns Go to Cortés, Hernando (1485–1547) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Mesoamerican civilization Politics Conquest and colonization War European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Europe Empires Latin America Central America Montezuma welcomes Hernan Cortes to his capital, Tenochtitlan, under the impression that he is the returning god-king Quetzalcoatl Go to Tenochtitlán, Mexico in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Spanish empire Empires Latin America Central America Cortes and his tiny force capture Montezuma, ruler of the mighty Aztec empire, in his palace at Tenochtitlan Go to Cortés, Hernán (1485–1547) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Mesoamerican civilization Politics Conquest and colonization War European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Europe Empires Latin America Central America
1520	Cortes loses control of Tenochtitlan and has to escape in haste with his men during 'the Sorrowful Night' Go to Cortés, Hernán (1485–1547) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Mesoamerican civilization Politics Conquest and colonization War European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Europe Empires Latin America Central America
1521	After a little more than a year Cortes recaptures Tenochtitlan and finally establishes Spanish control over Mexico Go to Cortés, Hernán (1485–1547) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Mesoamerican civilization Politics Conquest and colonization War European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Europe Empires Latin America Central America
1525	The conquistadors, settling on land granted to them after the conquest, begin the long process of European emigration to America Go to conquistadores in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Mesoamerican civilization Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Europe Empires Latin America Central America
1531	The Aztec Virgin of Guadalupe appears to an Indian near Mexico City and tells him she is 'one of his kind' Go to Virgin of Guadalupe in The Oxford Companion to World Mythology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Politics Conquest and colonization Religion Christianity Latin America Central America
c. 1550	Spanish galleons assemble each year at Portobelo to deliver European goods and to ship home the metals of Latin America Go to Portobelo (Panama) in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Commerce and industry European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Europe Society Empires Latin America Central America
1571	The Philippines and its governor general are placed under the authority of the Spanish governor of New Spain, ruling from Mexico City Go to Philippines in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Politics Spanish empire Asia East Asia Southeast Asia Empires Latin America
1810	The parish priest of Dolores sparks a rebellion against the Spanish authorities in Mexico with his Grito de Dolores Go to Hidalgo y Costilla, Miguel (1753–1811) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Protest and rebellion European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Europe Empires Latin America Central America
1813	Rebels meeting for a conference in Chilpancingo proclaim a short-lived Mexican independence Go to Spanish–South American Wars of Independence (1810–25) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Protest and rebellion European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Europe Empires Latin America Central America
1815	The Spanish suppress the independence movement in Mexico with the capture and execution of its leader, Jose Maria Morelos Go to Morelos y Pavón, José María (1765–1815) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Protest and rebellion European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Europe Empires Latin America Central America
1821	A reactionary movement led by Agustín de Iturbide wins new and lasting independence for Mexico Go to Iturbide, Agustín de (1783–1824) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Europe Empires Latin America Central America
1822	Agustin de Iturbide declares himself emperor of the new nation of Mexico, as Agustin I Go to Iturbide, Agustín de (1783–1824) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Protest and rebellion European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Europe Empires Latin America Central America
1823	Guatemala declares independence following the example of neighbouring Mexico Go to Guatemala in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Protest and rebellion European empires from 1415 Spanish empire Europe Empires Latin America Central America
1833	Antonio López de Santa Anna begins the first of five spells as president of Mexico Go to Santa Anna, Antonio López de (1794–1876) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Latin America Central America
1836	Sam Houston destroys a Mexican army near the San Jacinto river, completing the seizure of Texas from Mexico Go to Houston (Canada, Guyana, USA) in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Protest and rebellion War Latin America North America United States
1843	William Hickling Prescott brings the Conquistadors dramatically to life in his 3-volume History of the Conquest of Mexico Go to Prescott, William Hickling (1796–1859) in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Literature American literature Literature in English Latin America North America United States
1846	President Polk sends a US army into Texas, provoking the Mexican-American War Go to Mexican–American War (1846–48) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century War Latin America Central America North America United States
1847	William Hickling Prescott follows his great work on Mexico with a 2-volume History of the Conquest of Peru Go to Prescott, William Hickling (1796–1859) in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Literature American literature Literature in English Latin America Peru North America United States
1848	A treaty signed in Guadalupe-Hidalgo, ending the Mexican-American War, gives the US six new states Go to Mexican–American War (1846–48) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics War Latin America Central America North America United States
1850	California is admitted to the union just two years after being acquired from Mexico Go to California in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics North America United States
1854	US minister to Mexico James Gadsden secures a treaty by which the USA purchases from Mexico much of southern Arizona Go to Gadsden Purchase (1853–54) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics US presidents Rulers and politicians North America United States
1855	Liberal leaders Juan Alvarez and Ignacio Comonfort launch a political programme in Mexico that becomes know simply as 'the Reform' Go to Reforma, La in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Latin America Central America
1858	Conservatives seize Mexico City at the start of a civil war against the Liberal government Go to Mexico City in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics War Latin America Central America
1861	The Liberals recover Mexico City and elect Benito Juarez as president Go to Juárez, Benito Pablo (1806–72) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Democracy and dissent Latin America Central America Benito Juarez, president of a bankrupt Mexico, suspends interest payment on the nation's foreign debt Go to Juárez, Benito Pablo (1806–72) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Latin America Central America
1862	A joint French, Spanish and British force lands in Mexico and captures Veracruz, ostensibly to collect the interest on European debts Go to Mexican expedition, French (1861–7) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization War Latin America Central America
1863	The French capture Mexico City and President Juarez flees to the north Go to Juárez, Benito Pablo (1806–72) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization Latin America Central America
1864	The French arrange for the coronation of the Austrian archduke Maximilian as emperor of Mexico Go to Maximilian (1832–67) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Latin America Central America
1866	Napoleon III withdraws French troops from Mexico, leaving the emperor Maximilian in a dangerous situation Go to Napoleon III (1808–73) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Conquest and colonization Latin America Central America
1867	Maximilian, the emperor of Mexico, and two of his generals are shot after being surrounded and captured at Querétaro Go to Maximilian (1832–67) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Latin America Central America
1868	An armed uprising against Spanish rule takes place in the town of Lares in Puerto Rico, becoming known as the Grito de Lares ('Cry of Lares') Go to Puerto Rico in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Protest and rebellion Spanish empire Empires Latin America Caribbean
1904	The US consul in Mexico, Edward Herbert Thompson, begins a very profitable excavation at the Mayan site of Chichén Itzá Go to Chichén Itzá in The Oxford Companion to Archaeology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Science Latin America Central America
1910	A revolution begins in Mexico that will last ten years before being resolved Go to Mexican Revolution (1910–40) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent Latin America Central America
1911	Emiliano Zapata leads peasant groups in the Mexican revolution, under the slogan 'Land and Liberty' Go to Zapata, Emiliano (8 Aug. 1879) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent Latin America Central America
1920	Ten years of violent revolution in Mexico are brought to and end in a successful coup by Alvaro Obregón Go to Obregón, Alvaro (1880–1928) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Latin America Central America
1922	Diego Rivera, returning from his study of Italian frescoes, begins the first of his influential murals depicting Mexican history Go to Rivera, Diego (1886–1957) in A Dictionary of Modern and Contemporary Art (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Arts Painting American painting Latin America Central America
1927	Mysterious German author B. Traven writes a novel, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, about three Americans searching for a lost gold mine in Mexico Go to Traven, B. in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Literature American literature Fiction Latin America Central America
1928	Alvaro Obregón, the leading figure in Mexico's anti-clerical revolution, is shot by a Roman Catholic assassin Go to Obregón, Alvaro (1880–1928) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Latin America Central America
1929	Plutarco Calles establishes the National Revolutionary Party that will hold power in Mexico, under different names, for the rest of the century Go to PRI in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Politics Latin America Central America
1932	US poet Archibald MacLeish publishes a narrative epic, Conquistador, about the conquest of Mexico Go to MacLeish, Archibald (1892–1982) in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Literature English literature Poetry Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 Europe Britain Latin America
1933	19-year-old Mexican poet Octavio Paz publishes his first collection, Wild Moon Go to Paz, Octavio (1914–1998) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Literature American literature Poetry Latin America Central America
1936	US composer Aaron Copland writes El Salón México, using popular Mexican tunes Go to Copland, Aaron (1900–1990) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Performing arts Music Latin America North America United States
1938	Mexico, newly rich from oil, nationalizes the holdings of the foreign oil companies Go to Cárdenas, Lázaro (1895–1970) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Politics Commerce and industry Society Latin America Central America
1940	An assassin sent by Stalin kills the exiled Trotsky in his home in Mexico City Go to Trotsky, Leon (1879–1940) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Politics Communism Terrorism and assassination Europe Russia Latin America Central America
1951	Syntex, a small chemical company in Mexico City, develops the first oral contraceptive Go to Djerassi, Carl (1923–) in A Dictionary of Scientists (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Science Chemistry Latin America Central America
1956	Communist activist Fidel Castro returns from Mexico to Cuba to organize guerrilla warfare against the Batista regime Go to Castro Ruz, Fidel (13 Aug. 1926) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Communism Protest and rebellion War Cold war Wars since 1900 Latin America Caribbean Cuba
1957	Jack Kerouac publishes a largely autobiographical novel, On the Road, describing his experiences travelling through the US and Mexico Go to McCarthy, Mary (1912–) in The Concise Oxford Companion to American Literature (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Literature American literature Literature in English Fiction Latin America North America United States
1960	20-year-old Spanish tenor Placido Domingo sings his first major role, as Alfredo in La Traviata in the Mexican city of Monterrey Go to Domingo, Placido (1941– ) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Performing arts Music Opera Europe Spain Latin America Central America
1992	All the Pretty Horses is the first volume of US author Cormac McCarthy's trilogy set in Mexico Go to McCarthy, Cormac (1933) in The Oxford Companion to American Literature (6 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Literature American literature Literature in English Fiction Latin America North America United States
1994	Mayan Indians in Chiapas rebel in an armed uprising against the Mexican government Go to Chiapas Rebellion in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Latin America Central America Two leading members of Mexico's ruling party, Luis Donaldo Colosio and José Francisco Ruiz Massieu, are assassinated Go to Ardipithecus ramidus in A Dictionary of Zoology (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Latin America Central America A devaluation of the Mexican peso leads to a sudden collapse in the local stock market Go to Mexico in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Commerce and industry Society Latin America Central America
1997	Mexico's ruling party, the PRI, loses control of the lower house for the first time in nearly seventy years Go to Mexico in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent Latin America Central America
2000	Vicente Fox wins the presidential election in Mexico (the first time that an opposition politician has done so since 1911) Go to Fox, Vicente in New Oxford American Dictionary (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Latin America Central America
2009	The World Health Organization declares that "swine flu" (strain H1N1, spreading from Mexico), has reached the status of a pandemic Go to World Health Organization in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Medicine Latin America
2010	An explosion destroys BP's Deepwater Horizon oil rig, killing eleven people and starting a massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico Go to oil spill in A Dictionary of Environment and Conservation (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Technology Engineering Latin America Central America BP announces that a newly fitted cap has finally stopped the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico Go to oil spill in A Dictionary of Environment and Conservation (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Technology Latin America Caribbean North America United States

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date: 17 May 2025

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