PUNTA CANA; On October 12, 1492, the Spanish, led by Christopher Columbus, arrived at the present American continent. They mistakenly thought they had reached the East Indies in Asia. Unbeknownst to them, this marked a significant moment in history as it led to the meeting of two vastly different worlds.
In commemoration of this event, American nations celebrate Columbus Day. In Spain, it holds significance and is known as Columbus Day. This day signifies the start of cultural mingling. However, Europeans held military, social, and economic superiority for three centuries.
October 12 is the regularly commemorated date when Columbus’s expedition reached the new continent. However, it took the Spanish several more years to reach the areas now part of Mexico.
Before Hernán Cortés arrived, some Spaniards had already reached the coasts of present-day Caribbean of Mexico (Cozumel, in Quintana Roo), due to shipwrecks. Therefore, the Mayan culture was the first to interact with Europeans.
The cases of Gonzalo Guerrero and Jerónimo de Aguilar are notable. After being shipwrecked in the region around 1511, they survived as captives of indigenous groups. Guerrero assimilated into Mayan society, while Aguilar became a key interpreter during the conquest after being rescued by Cortés in Cozumel.
When did Hernán Cortés arrive in Mexico?
The Spanish conquerors, led by Hernán Cortés, landed in Mexican territory on April 22, 1519, almost 27 years later.
Cortés’s troops arrived at the coast of present-day Veracruz, initiating the conquest of the Aztec Empire. The first phase involved establishing La Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz. Cortés then proceeded to form alliances with indigenous groups and forcefully began his journey inland to conquer the Aztec Empire.
The conquest of Tenochtitlán, the Aztec capital, ended in 1521 after two years of warfare. Cortés, his Spanish soldiers, and indigenous allies successfully besieged and captured the city, resulting in the downfall of Aztec rule.
The Spanish controlled the territory now known as Mexico for nearly 300 years, from the defeat of Tenochtitlán in 1521 until Mexico’s independence in 1821. During this time, the territory was dubbed the Viceroyalty of New Spain.