(Distrito Federal), capital of Mexico
and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states
but belongs to the federation as a whole. Mexico City is the country's largest city as well as its most important political, cultural, educational and financial center.
As an "alpha" global city
Mexico City is one of the most important financial centers in North America.
1521 Tenochtitlán (present day Mexico City) falls to conquistador Hernán Cortés.
1531 The Virgin of Guadalupe first appears to Juan Diego at Tepeyac, Mexico City.
1847 Mexican-American War: Six teenage military cadets known as Niños Héroes die defending Chapultepec Castle in the Battle of Chapultepec. American General Winfield Scott captures Mexico City in the Mexican-American War.
1847 Mexican-American War: Winfield Scott captures Mexico City.
1861 Porfirio Díaz conquers Mexico City.
1863 During the French intervention in Mexico, Mexico City is captured by French troops.
1940 In Mexico City exiled Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky is fatally wounded with an ice axe by Ramon Mercader. He dies the next day.
1944 Fifty are hurt in rioting in front of the presidential palace in Mexico City.
1968 A peaceful student demonstration in Mexico City culminates in the Tlatelolco massacre.
1968 Jim Hines of the United States of America becomes the first man ever to break the so-called "ten-second barrier" in the 100-meter sprint in the Summer Olympic Games held in Mexico City with a time of 9.95 seconds. Hines remained the only athlete to sprint 100 meters in under 10.0 seconds until the year 1977.