Mexico City Celebrates 700th Anniversary of Founding

Mexico City’s 700th-anniversary celebration included a series of public events that honored the city’s Indigenous roots and the establishment of Tenochtitlan. The Mexica people, also known as the Aztecs, founded Tenochtitlan in 1325 in the Valley of Mexico. The city began as a village on an island in a lake and later evolved into a significant urban center. Historical accounts suggest the Mexica people migrated from Aztlan, an island of unknown location, and eventually settled in the Valley of Mexico after negotiating with the Tepaneca people. By the 16th century, Tenochtitlan was a city of palaces, bridges, canals, and bustling trade, which impressed the Spanish upon their arrival. President Claudia Sheinbaum’s speech during the anniversary events highlighted the importance of Mexico’s ancient civilizations and the need to eradicate persistent racism. Today, the symbol of the eagle on a cactus, derived from the founding legend of Tenochtitlan, is central to Mexican identity and appears on the national flag.

Mexico City is celebrating the 700th anniversary of its founding.

The Mexica people, also known as the Aztecs, founded the city, originally named Tenochtitlan.

Tenochtitlan was founded in 1325.

The celebration included artistic performances, reenactments of the city’s founding, and sacred dances performed by hundreds of dancers in traditional clothing.

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