History This Month Archives

Mexico City's Palacio de Bellas artes features a facade of Carrara marble © Anthony Wright, 2012

Mexico this month – July

June 21, 2022June 22, 2022 Tony4076Leave a Comment

Index to Mexico this month (all 12 months) July 1, 1823. At the Congress of the United Provinces of Central America, held in Guatemala City, it is decided that Nicaragua and Guatemala (who had joined Mexico of their own volition on January 5, 1822) should be separate entities. The Province of Chiapas votes in favor […]

The Zapata Route in Morelos Part 2: Museum at the ex-hacienda in Chinameca. © Julia Taylor 2007

Mexico this month – April

October 23, 2021April 24, 2022 Tony3558Leave a Comment

Index to Mexico this month (all 12 months) April 1, 1536. Pánfilo Narváez’s expedition had been shipwrecked off the Florida coast in 1518. After 18 years of traversing the continent, on foot, four survivors, including Alvaro Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca and Alonso del Castillo Maldonado finally make contact with other Spaniards near the Pacific Ocean […]

View of Mexico City's Templo Mayor from the onsite museum © Anthony Wright, 2013

Mexico this month – February

June 27, 2021February 25, 2022 Tony3929Leave a Comment

Index to Mexico this month (all 12 months) 1, 1867 The Battle of San Jacinto is fought in Zacatecas between Republican forces, commanded by Mariano Escobedo, and the Imperialist forces of Miguel Miramón. The Republicans win, and take about 500 prisoners, including 139 French soldiers and general Miramón. 2, 1530 Hernán Cortés commissions Nuño Beltrán […]

As the battle rages, General Porfirio Díaz leads his cavalry against the French.

Mexico this month – May

April 23, 2021May 25, 2022 Tony3374Leave a Comment

Index to Mexico this month (all 12 months) May 1, 1552 A royal decree establishes four schools for natives in the province of Nueva Galicia (now Jalisco): in Guadalajara, Atoyac, Ahuacatlán and Juchipila. 1, 1917 Venustiano Carranza begins his term as President. During his three years in office (until 1920) fighting continues in much of […]

The Fort of San Juan Ulua was first built as a castle in the 1550s. It is a landmark in the Mexican city of Veracruz. © Roberta Sotonoff, 2009

Mexico this month – March

January 30, 2021March 25, 2022 Tony4103Leave a Comment

Index to Mexico this month (all 12 months) 1, 1521 Cuauhtemoc, the last Aztec emperor, is crowned, without fanfare. Tradition dictates that he has to marry and he does so, with his cousin Teucipoh. 1, 1845 The U.S. Congress approves the annexation of Texas and chooses the Rio Bravo as its southern limit. 2, 1897 […]

Mexico this month – January

January 26, 2021January 30, 2022 Tony4778Leave a Comment

Index to Mexico this month (all 12 months) 1, 1857 Conservative general Tomás Mejía assaults the British consulate in San Luis Potosí and steals $240,000. The British government subsequently demands that this sum be included in the external debt owed them by President Juárez. 1, 1873 The birth in Lagos de Moreno, Jalisco, of the […]

In the Ex-Convento de San Pablo Apostol in Yuriria, Michoacan, graceful arches soar above the lower arcade and adjoin to columns that surround the inner courtyard. The beautiful old convent dates from the 16th century and is one of the largest in Mexico. This original photograph forms part of the Olden Mexico collection. © Darian Day and Michael Fitzpatrick, 2010

Mexico this month – June

January 25, 2021June 22, 2022 Tony3250Leave a Comment

Index to Mexico this month (all 12 months) June 1, 1565. Andrés de Urdaneta sets sail from the Philippine Islands on what eventually becomes recognized as a landmark voyage in sailing history. His return to New Spain, by sailing across the Pacific Ocean from west to east, is the earliest documented successful voyage in this […]

Mexico this month – December

November 23, 2020January 29, 2022 Tony4493Leave a Comment

Index to Mexico this month (all 12 months) December 1, 1810 José María Mercado, a priest supporting Father Hidalgo’s call for independence from Spain, attacks the Pacific coast port of San Blas, capturing it in a few hours. 2, 1546 Hernán Cortés, leader of the Spanish Conquest of Mexico, dies in Spain. His body is […]

Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City © Lilia Wall, 2013

Mexico this month – November

September 30, 2020January 29, 2022 Tony3312Leave a Comment

Index to Mexico this month (all 12 months) 1, 1542 The Fourth Expedition to Asia departs from the Pacific coast port of Navidad (now known as Barra de Navidad) under the command of Ruy López de Villalobos. This expedition reaches the Philippines. 2, 1810 In the opening chapter of Mexico’s fight for independence from Spain, […]

Mexico this month – October

July 30, 2020January 29, 2022 Tony5128Leave a Comment

Index to Mexico this month (all 12 months) October 1, 1542 The decision is made to refound the city of Guadalajara in its present location, in the valley of Atemajac. Three previous attempts to found the city had not prospered, but the site chosen this time proved more propitious. 2, 1535 The first Viceroy of […]