Before the arrival of the Spanish, Mexico is inhabited by several indigenous cultures including the Aztecs, Mayans, Olmecs, and the Toltecs.

Spanish conquistadores (conquerors) led by Hernán Cortés arrive in Mexico at present-day Vera Cruz and are met by friendly representatives of the Aztec empire. Cortés and the Aztec king, Moctezuma, meet at the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán, site of present-day Mexico City. Although Moctezuma offers food and shelter for the Spaniards, relations between the two groups quickly sour when the Spanish take the Aztec king prisoner, kill many Aztecs in a religious ceremony, and seize all the gold in the city. In response, the Aztecs attack the Spanish and hold them under siege in an Aztec palace. In the chaos, Moctezuma is killed by an airborne stone that strikes him in the head.

After being forced to flee the city, the Spanish regroup, and with hundreds of thousands of native allies (who were enemies of the Aztecs), and begin marching to take Tenochtitlán.

After months of fighting, the Aztecs finally surrender to the Spaniards when their new leader Cauhtemoc is captured. Although greatly outnumbered at the outset, the Spanish are able to defeat the Aztecs with the help of their native allies, and because of the spread of smallpox and other deadly diseases. Thousands of Aztecs die because they lack the necessary immune defenses to protect them from these European diseases.

The first school for the indigenous (native) population was opened by Friar Pedro de Gante with the intent of promoting Christianity among these people natives. More Franciscan and Dominican monks arrive in "New Spain" (what is currently Mexico) in effort to convert the native population to Christianity.

The first university in mainland America opens in Mexico City.

Mexico's War of Independence begins on September 16 when priest Miguel Hidalgo calls upon the Mexican Mestizo (people of mixed Indian and European ancestry) and native population of the village of Dolores to rebel against the native Spaniards, who had oppressed them for years. It marks the beginning of a long and costly war.

Mexico wins independence from Spain. Three years later, Mexico declares itself a Federal Republic and elects Guadalupe Victoria as its first president. Slavery and noble titles are abolished.

Texas declares independence from Mexico, starting a war between Mexico and the U.S.

Mexico loses the war with the U.S. and cedes approximately half of its original territory to the United States, including what will become California and the American Southwest.

Benito Juarez re-establishes the republic after Mexico is dominated for a short time by the Hapsburgs of Austria (a powerful royal German family). After Juarez's death five years later, the general Porfio Diaz becomes president, and eventually dictator, who stays in power for 31 years.

The Mexican Revolution begins. Revolutionaries assert that Diaz's government does not address the needs of the common people. In 1917, the Constitution of Mexico is drafted by Venustiano Carranza, based on the principles of the revolution. This constitution is in many ways the same as the Constitution that is used in Mexico today. In 1920 the Mexican Revolution ends with the election of Alvaro Obregon as President of Mexico.

Mexico enters the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The agreement allows for free trade between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada and stimulates the Mexican economy by bringing more jobs to Mexico.