Hernan Cortes captured Mexico City from the Aztecs on this date in 1521.

Mexico City, first established by the Aztecs as Tenochtitlán in the early to mid-14th century, helped the Aztec people transform themselves from a nomadic tribe in the central valley of Mexico to a dominating force in the area by the 15th century. The Aztecs, noted for their advances in engineering, architecture, art, mathematics, astronomy, sculpture, weaving, metalwork, music and pictography, were a caste-based society. Nobility, priesthood, military and merchants held the majority of power, and many people in and around the area were subjugated by the Aztecs. Captives of war were often sacrificed in the Aztecs’ religious rites. Unfortunately for the Aztecs, when Cortés and the Spaniards invaded the area in 1519, the subjects of these outlying areas willingly joined in the conquest of the city.

EDSITEment
In The Aztecs—Mighty Warriors of Mexico (3–5), students learn about the history and culture of the Aztecs and discover some of the reasons their civilization came to an abrupt end.

ReadWriteThink
Students read and respond to mask-themed poetry such as Carl Sandburg’s Aztec Mask, look at examples of mask art from various cultures and create their own cultural masks in Behind the Masks: Exploring Culture and Self Through Art and Poetry (9–12).

ARTSEDGE
In Animal Spirit and Powers (Nahuales) (5–8), students select an Aztec animal spirit (nahual) and then write and illustrate bilingual poems about their chosen animal spirit.