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2024-09-22 08:20:01

Hernán Cortés

Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztec Empire
Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztec Empire

Hernán Cortés led the fall of the Aztec Empire in the early 16th century, bringing large parts of mainland Mexico under Spanish rule. Born in Spain, he pursued adventure and riches in the New World, successfully allying with indigenous people and overthrowing the Aztec Empire. Despite conflicts with the governor of Cuba, Cortés achieved great success and was awarded the title of marqués del Valle de Oaxaca.

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Hernán Cortés

Hernán Cortés was a Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztec Empire, established the colony of New Spain, and explored the Pacific coast of America.

1485-12
Birth of Hernán Cortés

Hernán Cortés, born in December 1485 in Medellín, Spain, was a Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire in the early 16th century.

1499-10
Studies at the University of Salamanca

There are reports suggesting that he studied at the University of Salamanca focusing on Latin and Law during this time.

1504-08-30
Voyage to the New World

In 1504, Cortés embarked on a journey from Spain to the New World, specifically to the island of Santo Domingo (Hispaniola). He settled in Azúa and worked as a notary for several years.

1506-06-01
The Spanish take Cuba

During this time, the Spanish successfully took control of Cuba.

1511-02-10
Conquest of Cuba

Hernan Cortes worked with the governor of Hispaniola on a conquest of Cuba, where he was rewarded with land and slaves.

1519-02-18
Hernán Cortés sails for the coast of Yucatán

On February 18, 1519, Hernán Cortés sailed for the coast of Yucatán with 11 ships, 508 soldiers, about 100 sailors, and 16 horses. This marked the beginning of his expedition to Mexico.

1519-06-03
Founding of Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz

Spanish visit Cempoala and establish the settlement of Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz.

1519-07-13
Cortes Takes Over Veracruz

In 1519, Hernán Cortés sailed into Veracruz and captured the city by force. He attempted to arrange a meeting with Montezuma, the Aztec king, but Montezuma declined.

1519-07-26
Sending of Treasure and Letters to Spain

Cortes sends a ship carrying treasure and letters back to Spain.

1519-08-23
Rumors of Wealth from Mexico Spread in Cuba

Cortes' treasure ship halts in Cuba, leading to rumors about the riches discovered in Mexico.

1519-09-23
Alliances Formed with Tlaxcala Leaders

After a victorious battle, Cortes and his men enter Tlaxcala and establish important alliances with the local leaders.

1519-10-14
Spanish Entry into Cholula

Spanish forces enter the city of Cholula.

1519-11-07
Cortes Takes Montezuma Hostage

After the Aztec people offered gold and treasures to appease Hernán Cortés, he mistrusted them and decided to take Montezuma as a hostage.

1519-11-08
Hernán Cortés enters Tenochtitlán

On November 8, 1519, Hernán Cortés entered Tenochtitlán (later Mexico City) with his small Spanish force and 1,000 Tlaxcaltecs. This event marked a significant moment in the conquest of the Aztec empire.

1519-11-14
Cortés Takes Motecuhzoma Hostage

On November 14, 1519, Hernán Cortés took the Aztec ruler, Motecuhzoma, hostage, leading to a shift in relations from friendly to hostile.

1520-03-05
Velazquez Sends Narvaez

Governor Velazquez of Cuba dispatches Panfilo de Narvaez to confront Cortes and take control of the expedition.

1520-05-20
Massacre of Aztec Nobles at the Festival of Toxcatl

Pedro de Alvarado orders the massacre of thousands of Aztec nobles during the Festival of Toxcatl.

1520-05-28
Cortes Defeats Narvaez at the Battle of Cempoala

Hernán Cortés defeats Narvaez at the Battle of Cempoala and incorporates Narvaez's men and supplies into his own forces.

1520-06-24
Cortés Defeats Narváez and Returns to Tenochtitlan

On June 24, 1520, Hernán Cortés successfully defeated the force sent by the governor of Cuba, Pánfilo de Narváez, and convinced the remaining men to join him. They all returned to Tenochtitlan where a small group of Spaniards were still holding out.

1520-06-29
Cortes Kills Montezuma

When Montezuma failed to convince the Aztecs to accept Cortes as their ruler, Cortes ordered the execution of Montezuma.

1520-06-30
Noche Triste (Sad Night)

On June 30, 1520, Hernán Cortés experiences a bloody retreat from Tenochtitlan, which is famously known as the Noche Triste or 'Sad Night'.

1520-07-01
Death of Moctezuma II

On July 1, 1520, Moctezuma II was killed, either stoned by his own people or murdered by the Spaniards. Facing a hostile population, Cortés decided to flee for Tlaxcala during the Noche Triste.

1520-07-07
Retreat from Tenochtitlán

Hernán Cortés and his men retreated from the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán after being besieged by the Aztecs and facing heavy losses. This retreat was followed by the battle of Otumba on July 7, 1520, where Cortés emerged victorious over the Aztecs.

1520-07-11
Conquistadors Reach Tlaxcala

In July 1520, Conquistadors arrived at Tlaxcala where they could rest and regroup.

1520-10-25
Cholula Massacre

Spanish and Tlaxcalans attack unarmed Cholulans in one of the city squares after Cortes discovers an ambush planned against them.

1520-11-01
Cortes Expedition Leaves Cholula

Cortes and his expedition depart from Cholula.

1520-11-08
Cortes Enters Tenochtitlan

Cortes and his men arrive in Tenochtitlan.

1520-11-14
Montezuma Arrested

Montezuma is captured and placed under Spanish guard.

1520-12-06
Conflict with the Governor of Cuba

In December 1520, Hernán Cortés engaged in a conflict with the governor of Cuba.

1520-12-28
Cortes Leaves Tlaxcala for the Reconquest of Tenochtitlan

On December 28, 1520, Cortes departed from Tlaxcala with plans for the reconquest of Tenochtitlan.

1520-12-31
Capture of Texcoco

After several campaigns and receiving reinforcements by sea, Cortés captured the city of Texcoco on December 31, 1520.

1521-04-28
Hernán Cortés begins siege of Tenochtitlan

Hernán Cortés initiates the siege of Tenochtitlan, a pivotal moment in the conquest of the Aztec Empire.

1521-08-13
Fall of Tenochtitlan to Spanish forces

In 1521, the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan was conquered by Spanish forces under the command of Hernán Cortés.

1521-10-17
Cortes takes over the Aztec Empire

After the death of Montezuma, Cortes seized control of the Aztec Empire by capturing their capital city, marking the downfall of the Aztec Empire.

1522-02-22
Cortes appointed as Governor of New Spain

King Charles I of Spain appointed Cortes as the governor of New Spain, also known as Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, in the year following the conquest of the Aztec Empire.

1522-10-30
Segunda Carta de Relacion Published

The Segunda Carta de Relacion, dated October 30, 1520, was published in Seville in 1522. This letter is one of Cortés's surviving writings, providing an account of the conquest of Mexico.

1522-11-01
Death of Catalina Suárez

Catalina Suárez died under mysterious circumstances, leading to accusations that Hernán Cortés had murdered his wife. An investigation was conducted, and archival documents related to the case were uncovered in the twentieth century.

1523-05
Appointment as first governor of New Spain

In May 1523, Hernán Cortés was appointed as the first governor of the colony of New Spain (Mexico).

1524-05
Arrival of the Franciscans in Mexico

In May 1524, a group of twelve Franciscans known as the Twelve Apostles of Mexico, led by Fray Martín de Valencia, arrived in Mexico. They were seen as symbolically powerful and played a significant role in the spiritual influence over the region.

1524-10
Personal expedition to Honduras

In October 1524, Hernán Cortés personally led an expedition to Honduras.

1525
Royal grant of arms to Hernán Cortés

In 1525, Hernán Cortés was granted a coat of arms by the crown as a mark of high honor for his accomplishments in the conquest of Mexico. The grant specified the iconography of the coat of arms, symbolizing Cortés's achievements and the conquest era.

1526
Construction of the Palace of Cortés

In 1526, Hernán Cortés built the Palace of Cortés in Cuernavaca, a significant residence for himself near the capital, showcasing his wealth and power.

1527-03-17
Accusations against Cortes in New Spain

Cortes faced accusations of poisoning other rulers in New Spain after they fell ill, which led to tensions and suspicions among the Spanish authorities.

1528-05
Cortés Presents Treasures and Aztecs to Charles V

In May 1528, Hernán Cortés returned to Spain with treasures and 40 Aztecs to impress the court. He successfully convinced Charles V to grant him vast estates in the Americas, the title of Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca, and a share of acquired wealth.

1529
Hernán Cortés named Marqués del Valle de Oaxaca

In 1529, Hernán Cortés was granted the noble title of Marqués del Valle de Oaxaca and married Doña Juana Zúñiga, marking a significant reward for his efforts in expanding the Spanish Empire.

1530
Hernán Cortés Returns to Mexico

Hernán Cortés goes back to Mexico but discovers that his role has been taken over by the new governor.

1535
Cortes discovers California

In 1535, Hernan Cortes made the discovery of California during his explorations. This discovery added to his legacy as a Spanish conquistador and explorer in the New World.

1540-01-02
Cortes' Retirement

After a series of conquests and controversies, Cortes retired from his active role in New Spain, marking the end of his prominent career as a conquistador.

1541
Cortés awarded the title of marqués del Valle de Oaxaca

In 1541, after overthrowing the Aztec Empire, Hernán Cortés was awarded the title of marqués del Valle de Oaxaca, recognizing his achievements in the conquest of Mexico.

1547-12-02
Death of Hernán Cortés

Hernán Cortés passes away due to dysentery in Castilleja la Vieja, Spain.

1547-12-07
Death of Hernán Cortés

On December 7, 1547, Hernán Cortés passed away in Spain.

1556
Transfer of Cortés' remains to the church of San Francisco de Texcoco

In 1556, Hernán Cortés' remains were moved to the church of San Francisco de Texcoco in Mexico.

1560-12-16
Resolution of Lawsuits related to Cortés' Estate

On December 16, 1560, lawsuits related to vassals of the Cortes estate were resolved by a royal order issued by Philip II.

1566
Burial of Hernán Cortés in New Spain

Hernán Cortés' body was sent to New Spain and buried in the church of San Francisco de Texcoco in 1566, fulfilling his wish to be buried in Mexico.

1733
Hernán Cortés in Motezuma

Hernán Cortés, referred to as Fernando in the Italian form of his name, is portrayed as the hero in Antonio Vivaldi's 1733 opera Motezuma.

1794
Final resting place of Hernán Cortés

In 1794, Hernán Cortés' bones were moved to the 'Hospital de Jesus' in Mexico, where a statue by Tolsá and a mausoleum were created. A public ceremony was held, and the city's churches rang their bells in his honor.

1823
Protection of Hernán Cortés' Mausoleum

After the independence of México, Hernán Cortés' mausoleum was removed to protect his body from desecration. The statue and coat of arms were sent to Palermo, Sicily, while his bones were hidden and later moved to another location in the same building.

1946-11-24
Rediscovery of Hernán Cortés' Bones

Hernán Cortés' bones were rediscovered on November 24, 1946, thanks to a secret document found by Lucas Alamán. The bones were authenticated by the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) and restored to their original place with a bronze inscription and his coat of arms.

1947
Hernando Cortez in Captain from Castile

Actor Cesar Romero portrayed Hernando Cortez in the 1947 historical adventure film Captain from Castile.

1967
Cortés in The Time Tunnel

Cortés appears as the villain in the 21st episode of The Time Tunnel (1967) titled 'Idol of Death'.

1975
Cortez the Killer by Neil Young

The song 'Cortez the Killer' by Neil Young was released in 1975.

1980
Cortés in Aztec by Gary Jennings

Hernán Cortés is depicted as an antagonist in the 1980 novel Aztec by Gary Jennings.

1981
Public Recognition of Cortés by President Lopez Portillo

In 1981, President Lopez Portillo attempted to bring Hernán Cortés to public recognition by unveiling a copy of the bust of Cortés made by Manuel Tolsá in the Hospital de Jesús Nazareno. However, a nationalist group's attempt to destroy it led to the bust being removed from public display.

1982
Monumento al Mestizaje Commissioned by President José López Portillo

In 1982, Mexican president José López Portillo commissioned the Monumento al Mestizaje to be placed in the Zócalo of Coyoacan, depicting Cortés, Malinche, and their son Martín. Due to protests, the monument was relocated to Jardín Xicoténcatl, Barrio de San Diego Churubusco.

1986
Hernán Cortés and the Conquest of Mexico Comic Book

Polish illustrator Jerzy Wróblewski created a 48-page comic book in 1986 titled Hernán Cortés i podbój Meksyku (Hernán Cortés and the Conquest of Mexico), focusing on Cortés's life during the 1519–1521 period.

2000
Cortés in The Road to El Dorado

Hernán Cortés is portrayed as an ambiguous character in the 2000 animated movie The Road to El Dorado, voiced by Jim Cummings.

2005
Hernán Cortés in the Opera La Conquista

Hernán Cortés is portrayed in the opera La Conquista (2005) by Italian composer Lorenzo Ferrero, depicting the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in 1521.

2017
Publication of A Journey with Hernán Cortés

The book 'A Journey with Hernán Cortés' was published in 2017. It explores the adventures and impact of Hernán Cortés during his conquests.

2019
Cortés in Hernán TV Series

Óscar Jaenada plays Hernán Cortés, a morally ambiguous protagonist in the 2019 eight-episode TV series Hernán.

2023
Publication of Memorias de Hernán Cortés / Memoirs of Hernán

The book 'Memorias de Hernán Cortés / Memoirs of Hernán' was published in 2023. It provides insights into the life and conquests of Hernán Cortés.

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Hernán Cortés
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