Latin American History

Christopher Columbus, the legendary explorer, died in Spain on May 20, 1506. He left behind a mixed legacy: was he a courageous explorer or a heartless slaver?

On May 13, 1810, word reached Argentina that Spain was in French hands, controlled by Napoleon. This news didn't sit well with the Argentines and before long a revolution was brewing. The May Revolution began on May 18, 1810 and would forever change the nation.

Edward "Blackbeard" Teach was most likely the most infamous pirate of the Golden Age of Piracy. He only ranks fifth, however, on my list of the five most successful pirates of his generation. Who could possibly beat Blackbeard?

The Ancient Maya Civilization flourished in the area of present-day southern Mexico, Guatemala and Belize well over a thousand years ago. The Maya have always been a mysterious civilization and their lost cities deep in the steamy forests of Central America always raised more questions than could be answered. So what do we know about this mysterious civilization? Here are ten facts about the Ancient Maya!

On May 11, 1502, Christopher Columbus set out on his fourth - and final - journey to the New World. Still convinced that he had found the easternmost part of Asia, he set out to find a passage to the rich markets he thought had been barely eluding him since his famous first voyage in 1492. This final journey was a disaster: it ended with Columbus and his men stranded on an island for over a year. Why did no one come and pick up him and his men?

On May 8, 1846, American and Mexican troops engaged one another at the Battle of Palo Alto, not far from the border. The two nations had been bickering and skirmishing for some time, and an all-out conflict was inevitable. At Palo Alto, the Mexicans were dug in but the Americans had a secret weapon, one that had never been seen on a battlefield before. Which army would prevail in the first major engagement of the Mexican-American War?

Cinco de Mayo is nearly upon us! Here you'll find the basics: all you need to know about everyone's favorite Mexican holiday!

It's everyone's favorite Mexican holiday, and it's coming up fast! Here's everything you'll need to know about Cinco de Mayo, written especially for younger readers.

In April of 1836, things looked bleak for the rebels in Texas. They had lost San Antonio and 200 men at the disastrous Battle of the Alamo and 400 more had been executed during the Goliad Massacre. General Sam Houston and his ragged army were running from the massive Mexican army, led by General Santa Anna. But Houston was just waiting for the right moment. That moment came on April 21, 1836, when Houston and his army surprised the Mexicans at the Battle of San Jacinto, a resounding victory for the rebellious Texans and a huge step towards independence.

Everyone knows that Ferdinand Magellan led the first around-the-world sea journey, right? But how many people know that he didn't make it? Magellan only made it halfway around the world: he was killed in the Philippines on April 17, 1521. His ships went on without him. Why was he fighting so far from home?