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Ever wonder what happens when a world-class city meets world-class germs, questionable “guests,” and a whole lotta betrayal? Buckle up for the dramatic, tragic story of August 13, 1521: the day the mighty Aztec Empire became history—literally. But first a word from our sponsor:
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The Setup: Cortés, Cortés, the Not-So-Friendly Spaniard
Hernán Cortés sailed into Mexico in 1519 with fewer than 1,000 Spanish soldiers—and a healthy disregard for, well, everything. But give the guy credit: he made friends in low (and high) places, convincing Aztec-hating neighbors like the Tlaxcalans to join his “Burn Down Tenochtitlan” Book Club.
With sparkly armor, mysterious horses, and a lot of smallpox, Cortés and his buddies hit Tenochtitlan hard. The city, stunningly perched in the middle of a lake, became ground zero for one of the strangest sieges in early modern history.
93 Days of “No Thanks, We’re Full!”
Fast forward to 1521. The mighty Aztec capital is boxed in: with canals choked, food cut off, and water (and hopes) running out. Imagine New York during rush hour—if the bridges were booby-trapped and half the city just vanished overnight. Famine, disease, and constant Spanish attacks did what Spanish steel couldn’t do alone: they broke the will of the defenders.
Cuauhtémoc: Emperor, Fighter, and Reluctant Canoe Champion
Enter Cuauhtémoc, the last Aztec emperor—bold, tragic, and stubborn as a mule. Even as Tenochtitlan burned, he tried one last getaway by canoe. (Spoiler: Cortés caught him. Faster paddling next time, Cuauhtémoc.)
With his capture on August 13, 1521, the Aztec Empire collapsed. Cortés pretended to treat him nicely at first but, true to conquistador form, later tortured him for gold and eventually executed him years later. Machiavelli, eat your heart out.
Fun for History Buffs: Why Nerds Still Argue About August 13
Historians learn how small forces can topple huge societies when tech and alliances (and germs) align.
History geeks feast on the details: indigenous alliances, tactical betrayals, and how the Spanish basically crowdsourced their conquest.
People who love history? See just how quickly fortunes turn—one year you're the ruler of a vast empire, the next you're fleeing in a canoe.
The Aftermath: Welcome to New Spain, Population: Decimated
Tenochtitlan was basically bulldozed, its temples knocked down, and its survivors… well, not many survived. The Spanish began to build what we now know as Mexico City right on top of the ruins. Thus began centuries of colonial domination, religious upheaval, and a new world order with taco Tuesday.*
*Okay, the tacos came later.
Why Does This Still Matter?
Besides being peak drama (eat your heart out, HBO), the fall of Tenochtitlan changed the course of not just Mexican but world history. It shows us the catastrophic power of disease, the unpredictability of alliances, and the resilience (and tragedy) of a culture swept aside by the tides of fate and fire.
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August 13, 1521: Not your average #ThrowbackThursday. (But man, what a story.)