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Host Community Information
The first humans in the Americas were descendants of northeast Asian nomads who migrated across the Bering Strait perhaps as early as 30,000 B.C.
Archaeological evidence testifies to the presence of early hunters and gatherers in Mexico around 10,000 to 8000 B.C.
The last nomadic arrivals in the valley were the Mexica, more commonly known as the Aztec. Although recent linguistic and archaeological work suggests the Aztec may have come from northwest Mexico, their origins are obscure. According to legend, the Aztec came from Aztlan, a mythical place to the north of the Valley of Mexico around A.D. 1100. They were said to have made their way to the valley guided by the chirps of their sun and war god Huitzilopichtli (meaning "hummingbird on the left").
At least three great civilizations -- the Mayas, the Olmecs, and the Toltecs --preceded the wealthy Aztec empire, conquered in 1519 by the Spanish under Hernando Cortes. This was the first stage in what would be lasting dominion of the Spanish on the history, government and culture of the newly forming country.
In 1520, the Aztec people, growing restive under Spanish control, revolted. Cortes called on Montezuma to quell the revolt, but the Aztec ruler was stoned while addressing his subjects.
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