April 22: Hernan Cortes, the Spanish Conqueror founded Veracruz in 1519 and established a Spanish settlement there.

Spanish Conqueror Hernan Cortes

Henan Cortes set a new expedition frome near Havana, Cuba, In February 1519 with 10 vessels, funded by Cuban Governor Diego Velázquez.

Hernan Cortes route to Mexico

Hernan Cortes had the intent to explore and trade precious metals. On the morning of April 21 sighted the coast of Veracruz, anchoring near San Juan de Ulua, and the next day, Friday April 22, 1519, landed on the beaches adjacent to Chalchihuecan so-called by the native Mexicas (the ancient land of the Aztecs,also known as the Mexicas).

Hernan Cortes founds the Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz (today Veracruz)

Hernan Cortes and his troops met with the emissaries of Moctezuma (Aztecan Emperor). When Cortes saw the reach gifts offered by the Aztecan Emperor, he changed his mind about the intention of the expedition, deciding to colonize those lands.

Hernan Cortes receiving gifts sent by Moctezuma

Nevertheless, within the expedition there was opposition to Cortes’ intentions. With the dual purpose of removing the opposition and find a more suitable place to protect his fleet, Cortes sent two ships which arrived at Quiahuiztlán Cove.

Veracruz was founded in 1519 by Hernán Cortés, on the Gulf of Mexico, in accordance with an urban layout model based on a grid system of streets and blocks which radiated from a central "plaza".

Meanwhile, Cortés founded a way to escape his legal relationship with Velázquez, Governor of Cuba. On July 10, 1519, Cortes’ soldiers founded Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz, a settlement of huts palm which became the first municipality of continental America.

Arenales Quiahuixtlan.

The expedition was composed of six hundred and seventeen men, of which 508 were soldiers and 109 seamen or artificers. Thirteen soldiers were armed with muskets, thirty-two with cross-bows and the rest with swords and spears. Instead of armour, they had quilted jackets, deemed sufficient against the foe they faced. They had sixteen horses, ten small, field pieces and four falconets.