World History Timeline

Countries / Latin America

History of Mexico

17 notable historical events in Mexico, in chronological order.

War · 6Politics · 4Treaty · 3Revolution · 3Science · 1Exploration · 1Culture · 4Economy · 1

12th century BCE

  1. c. 12th century BCE – c. 4th century BCE★★★★★

    Rise of the Olmec civilization

    The Olmecs develop the earliest known complex civilization of Mesoamerica along Mexico's Gulf Coast, known for their colossal stone heads.

    Culture· Mexico

1st century BCE

  1. c. 1st century BCE – c. 6th century★★★★★

    Teotihuacan flourishes

    Teotihuacan in the Valley of Mexico grows into one of the largest cities in the world of its time, with the Pyramid of the Sun and the Avenue of the Dead.

    Culture· Mexico

3rd century

  1. c. 3rd century – c. 9th century★★★★★

    Classic period of Maya civilization

    Maya city-states such as Tikal, Palenque and Calakmul reach their height in architecture, writing, astronomy and calendrics.

    CultureScience· Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras

8th century

  1. c. 8th century – c. 10th century★★★★★

    Classic Maya collapse

    Many Maya cities of the southern lowlands are gradually abandoned, possibly due to drought, warfare and political crisis.

    Politics· Guatemala, Mexico

9th century

  1. c. 9th century★★★★★

    Chichén Itzá becomes a major Maya center

    Chichén Itzá on the Yucatán Peninsula rises to become one of the most powerful Maya cities, with its famous El Castillo pyramid.

    Culture· Mexico

14th century

  1. c. 1325★★★★★

    Founding of Tenochtitlan

    According to tradition, the Mexica (Aztecs) found Tenochtitlan on an island in Lake Texcoco, the site of present-day Mexico City.

    Politics· Mexico

15th century

  1. 1428★★★★★

    Formation of the Aztec Triple Alliance

    Tenochtitlan, Texcoco and Tlacopan form an alliance that becomes the basis of the Aztec Empire dominating central Mexico.

    PoliticsTreaty· Mexico

16th century

  1. April 1519★★★★★

    Hernán Cortés lands in Mexico

    Spanish conquistadors under Hernán Cortés land on Mexico's Gulf Coast and found Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz, beginning the conquest of the Aztec Empire.

    WarExploration· Mexico, Spain
  2. August 13, 1521★★★★★

    Fall of Tenochtitlan

    Spanish forces under Hernán Cortés and their Indigenous allies capture the Aztec capital.

    War· Mexico

19th century

  2. September 27, 1821★★★★★

    Mexico achieves independence from Spain

    The Army of the Three Guarantees enters Mexico City, ending over a decade of war and three centuries of Spanish rule.

    RevolutionPolitics· Mexico, Spain
  3. March 6, 1836★★★★★

    Battle of the Alamo

    Mexican troops under General Santa Anna storm the Alamo in San Antonio, killing its Texan defenders; the battle becomes a symbol of the Texas Revolution.

    War· United States, Mexico
  4. 1846 – 1848★★★★★

    Mexican–American War

    War between the United States and Mexico following the US annexation of Texas; Mexico is defeated and loses about half of its territory.

    War· United States, Mexico
  5. February 2, 1848★★★★★

    Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

    The treaty ends the Mexican–American War, with Mexico ceding California and much of today's Southwest to the United States.

    Treaty· United States, Mexico
  6. May 5, 1862★★★★★

    Battle of Puebla

    Mexican forces defeat a French expeditionary army at Puebla, a victory later commemorated as Cinco de Mayo.

    War· Mexico, France

20th century

  1. November 20, 1910 – 1920★★★★★

    Mexican Revolution

    Francisco Madero calls for revolt against Porfirio Díaz, launching a decade-long revolution involving figures such as Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata.

    RevolutionWar· Mexico
  2. January 1, 1994★★★★★

    NAFTA enters into force

    The North American Free Trade Agreement between the United States, Canada and Mexico takes effect, creating one of the world's largest trade blocs.

    TreatyEconomy· United States, Canada, Mexico
History of Mexico · World History Timeline