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6th century, first Nahuatl speaking peoples begin to settle in Mexico.
The Mexica travel from their northern homeland of Aztlan. These early dates, and the existence and location of Aztlan are hotly debated. -
The timeline of Aztec Empire
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1110-1248, The Mexica roam the area which is now Mexico, trying to find a location in which to settle.
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Mexica settle near Lake Texcoco, in Chapultepec, though they are soon expelled by the Tepanecs.
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Mexica settle in Tizapan, by permission of the Culhuacan ruler Cocoxtli.
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Tenochtitlán is settled by the Mexica.
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Building of causeways with canals
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Death of Tenoch, religious ruler of the Mexica
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The first king of Tenochtitlán, Acamapichitli, rules
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Original construction of Templo Mayor beings in Tenochtitlán
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1395-1417, The second king of Tenochtitlán, Huitzilihuitzli, rules. An alliance with the Tepaneca is created.
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1417-1427, The third king, Chimalpopoca, has his relatively short reign. He is assasinated by the Tepaneca.
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War with the Tepaneca. Up to this point the Tepaneca had been dominant in central Mexico, ruling from Azcapotzalco and taking tribute from the Mexica.
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1427-1440, Tenochtitlán's fourth king, Itzcoatl, reigns
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Azcapotzalco conquered
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Establishment of the Triple Alliance between the Mexica, the Acolhua in the city Texcoco and the Tepaneca of Tlacopan. These cities became the foundation of the empire.
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1440-1469, Reign of the fifth king, Moctezuma I, who is also referred to as Montezuma I
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Tenochtitlán severely damaged by flooding
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1452-1454, Famine in Tenochtitlán.
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1469-1481, Tenochtitlán's sixth king, Azayactl, reigns
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1481-1486, Reign of Tizoc, the seventh king of Tenochtitlán
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1486-1502, Rule of Ahuitzotl, eighth king of the city
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1487, Dedication of Great Temple (Templo Mayor) at Tenochtitlán. This was the 6th version of the temple.
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1492, Christopher Columbus's landing at Santa Domingo
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1502-1520 Reign of Moctezuma II, or Montezuma II, most famous of the Aztec kings and ninth king of Tenochtitlán
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1510, Severe floods in Tenochtitlán
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1517, The appearance of a comet, believed to signify impending doom
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1519 (4 March), Landing of Hernan Cortes on the Yucatan penninsula
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1519 (8 Nov), Cortes arrives in Tenochtitlán
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1520, Cortes allies with Tlaxcala, enemies of the Aztec, assault on the empire begins. On the 1st of July, the Spanish forces were driven back. The Spanish and their native allies suffered heavy losses. (This is known as la Noche Triste - The Sad Night).
1520, Rule of Cuitahuac, tenth king of Tenochtitlán
1520, Cuitahuac dies from the first smallpox epidemic to hit the empire. Rule of Cuauhetemoc, eleventh and last king of the city. -
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1521 (13 Aug), Fall of Tenochtitlán. Cuauhetemoc surrenders to Cortes, destruction of the city
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1522, Rebuilding of the city by the Spanish as Mexico City, capital of New Spain
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1525, Cuauhetemoc is hung by the Spaniards
