Latin America

  • Jan 1, 1350

    Inca and Chimu war begins

    War between Inca and Chimú states
  • Jan 1, 1400

    Inca empire expands

    Inca empire expands and hierarchical structure becomes more formalised
  • Jan 1, 1438

    Pachacuti becomes ruler of Cuzco kingdom

    Pachacuti becomes ruler of Cuzco kingdom; beginning of the Inca empire
  • Jan 1, 1463

    Tupaq Inca becomes head of Inca army

    Tupaq Inca appointed head of Inca army; conquers territories to the north
  • Jan 7, 1470

    Inca and Chimu war ends

    Incas conquer Chimú empire
  • Beginning of Epic Revolution

    Beginning of Epic Revolution, triggered by unrest amongst peasants and urban workers, who are led by Emiliano Zapata.
  • Mexico's dictator, Porfirio Diaz, is overthrown

    Mexico's dictator, Porfirio Diaz, is overthrown. The new president is Francisco Madero, a liberal. Madero introduces land reform and labour legislation. Political unrest continues with Zapata leading a peasant revolt in the south.
  • Madero assassinated

    Madero is assassinated. Victoriano Huerta seizes power.
  • Huerta resigns

    He is viewed with suspicion by the United States for his alleged pro-German sympathies. Huerta is succeeded by Venustiano Carranza.
  • US forces cross the border

    US forces cross the border in pursuit of the guerrilla leader Francisco "Pancho" Villa.
  • US forces withdraw

    having failed to kill Villa. A new constitution is adopted, which is designed to ensure permanent democracy in Mexico.
  • Carranza murdered

    Carranza is murdered. Civil war follows.
  • National Revolutionary Party formed

    The National Revolutionary Party is formed. In 1946 it is re-named the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI.
  • Leon Trotsky murdered

    Leon Trotsky murdered in Mexico.
  • Mexico declares

    Mexico declares war on Japan and Germany.
  • Student demonstration in Tlatelolco, Mexico City fired upon

    Student demonstration in Tlatelolco, Mexico City, during the Olympic Games is fired upon by Mexican security forces. Hundreds of protestors are killed or wounded. The extent of the violence shocks the country.
  • Huge offshore oil reserves discovered

    Huge offshore oil reserves discovered; the Cantarell field becomes the mainstay of Mexico's oil production.
  • Earthquake in Mexico City

    Earthquake in Mexico City kills thousands and makes many more homeless.
  • Mexico ratifies the North American Free Trade Agreement

    Mexican parliament ratifies the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) with the US and Canada.
  • August - Presidential elections won by PRI candidate Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon

    August - Presidential elections won by PRI candidate Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon, after the previous candidate, Luis Donaldo Colosio, was murdered. The stock market plunges in December, the peso loses a third of its value.