Hernan Cortes

Hernán Cortés was a 16th century Spanish conquistador who started the conquest of the Aztec civilization.

1. 1503: First arrives in the "New World" from Spain
2. 1510: Joins an expedition to conquer Cuba, soon appointed mayor of Santiago
3. 1519: Commands expedition to interior of Mexico
4. 1521: Captures Aztec leader Cuauhtemoc
5. 1521-1524: Self-governs Mexico
6. 1528: Returns to Spain where he was awarded the noble title "Marquis of the Oaxaca Valley"
7. 1530: Returns to Mexico
8. 1547: Dies in Seville, Spain

• 1485: Born in Medellin, Extremadura, in Castile

• 1499: Attends the University of Salamanca

• 1501: Returns home

• 1504: Joins an expedition to Santo Domingo; becomes a citizen of Azuza

• 1506: Participates in the conquest of Hispaniola and Cuba

• 1519: Commander of an expedition to find the legendary Aztec Empire

• 1521: Claims Tenochtitlan for Spain

• 1522: Given the title of Captain General and Governor of New Spain

• 1524: Explores Honduras

• 1528: Recalled to Spain; awarded the title "Marques del Valle de Oaxaca"

• 1530: Returns to Mexico, but divested of his civil rank; wife, Catalina, dies

• 1536: Discovers the Baja California peninsula

• 1539: Returns to Spain

• 1541: Joins Algiers expedition

• 1547: Dies December 2, in Castilleja de la Cuesta of pleurisy

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