The first human entry into Mexico began roughly 20,000 years ago, and led to the Toltec, Mayan and Aztec civilizations.
In 1810, after centuries of Spanish rule, a priest named Miguel Hidalgo began the Mexican independence movement. From then on, the dream of Mexican independence could not be denied.
In the Mexican-American War, fought between 1846-1848, Santa Anna faced his aggressive northern neighbor once again, losing half of Mexico's territory.
Porfirio Diaz becomes dictator in 1876, ruling for 35 years. Though he modernized Mexico and lured foreign capital, his regime's corruption led to revolt in 1910.