Explorer timeline By Afraige 1485 Hernan Cortes was born Hernan Cortes was a Spanish explorer 1499 Hernan Cortes starts voyaging He was 19 when he started voyaging Feb 18, 1519 Hernan Cortes sails for the coast of Yucatán 1521 Hernan Cortes defeats the Aztecs 1547 Hernan Cortes dies