Beginning in the 13th century, the Aztec Empire came into existence rose in the Valley of Mexico, where current day Mexico City now sits. This area is known for its flat, plateau-like topography. The marvels of the Aztec empire still keep modern scientists in awe for their advances in astrology and construction, but the empire itself was conquered by Spain.
On this day August 13th, in 1521, the famous conquistador, Hernan Cortes, conquers the Aztec’s capital, Tenochtitlan. The Aztec empire was part of the Aztec Triple Alliance, with the other cities being Texcoco and Tlacopan. Tenochtitlan ended up becoming the undisputed capital and city, with the most power in the Aztec Empire.
The fall of Tenochtitlan set off like a domino effect, causing the rest of the empires to fall. Soon all of the region was in Spanish hands. Cortes used biological warfare to help him achieve those ends. After the Aztec leader Montezuma sent an emissary with lavish gifts to the Spanish, the emissary returned with smallpox-infected blankets.