Origins of the Comanche-Mexico Wars

Posted December 4, 2022June 2, 2024 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

The Comanche wars of the 1800s were devastating for Mexico. What are their origins?

Joaquín Murrieta, Legendary Mexican Bandit

Posted November 6, 2022June 2, 2024 Robert Bitto2 CommentsPosted in Little-Known History

This controversial historical figure has grown into a larger-than-life legend.

The Martín Cortés Conspiracy

Posted September 11, 2022June 22, 2024 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

Did the son of the famous conquistador plot to overthrow the Spanish king?

First Contact, Mexico Meets Spain, 1519

Posted August 7, 2022June 23, 2024 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

The first contact between the Spaniards and Aztecs is often misunderstood.

Luis de Sáric and the Pima Revolt of 1751

Posted July 10, 2022June 23, 2024 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

A highly coordinated attack against the Spanish almost drove them out of northern New Spain for good.

Juan Antonio, Indigenous Leader of Mexican California

Posted May 29, 2022June 28, 2024 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

This overlooked indigenous leader played an important role in Mexican California.

Pedro Lascuráin, Mexican President for 45 Minutes

Posted May 8, 2022May 8, 2022 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

He served for only 45 minutes as Mexico’s president, but his legacy was long-lasting.

Chipilo: The Forgotten Italian Colony in Mexico

Posted April 17, 2022 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

Founded by Italians in 1882 Chipilo has maintained its cultural identity into the 21st Century.

Mexican Kickapoo, A Forgotten Tribe

Posted March 13, 2022March 13, 2022 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

An isolated, little-known band of Kickapoo Indians has survived and thrived in Mexico.

British Baja: The Mexican Land and Colonization Company

Posted February 20, 2022February 20, 2022 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

Baja California almost became part of the British Empire in 1890.

Apache Wars with Mexico

Posted January 16, 2022 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

For centuries the Apache beat back colonization.

The Maya World Between Collapse and Conquest

Posted January 9, 2022 Robert Bitto1 CommentPosted in Little-Known History

After the Classic Maya Collapse, what happened in the Yucatán?

Nezahualcoyotl, Poet-King of Texcoco

Posted November 28, 2021November 28, 2021 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

The story of one of the most extraordinary rulers of ancient Mexico.

Teresa Urrea: Mystic, Healer, Revolutionary

Posted September 12, 2021 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

A young girl with special powers transformed the culture and politics of northern Mexico.

California’s First Black Governor, Pío Pico, 1832

Posted August 8, 2021August 8, 2021 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

Few know that California has already had a Black governor, but under Mexican rule.

Huamalgüeños, The Fog People of Cedros Island

Posted May 23, 2021May 31, 2021 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

The natives of a Mexican Pacific island abandoned their paradise to integrate into Spanish mission system.

Mountain Yaqui, Indigenous Resistance into the 20th Century

Posted May 9, 2021 Robert Bitto4 CommentsPosted in Little-Known History

For nearly 400 years, the Mountain Yaqui resisted outside domination

Casta: Race in Colonial Mexico

Posted April 11, 2021 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

Racial classifications in colonial Mexico were confusing and borderline comical.

San Patricios – The Saint Patrick’s Battalion

Posted March 14, 2021 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

A little-known battalion of Irish soldiers played an important role in the Mexican War.

Pánuco, Forgotten Spanish Colony in Mexico

Posted December 28, 2020 Robert Bitto2 CommentsPosted in Little-Known History

Once a prosperous region, the colony of Pánuco burned out in a few short decades.

Geronimo in Mexico

Posted November 23, 2020 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

Legendary Apache leader Geronimo spent much time in Mexico & had deep feelings about its country and people.

The Comanche Wars, 1821-1870

Posted October 11, 2020 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

For decades, Comanche raiding parties terrorized the northern reaches of a young Mexico.

Montezuma the Great

Posted July 13, 2020 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

An overview of one of the most important figures in Mexican history.

Juan O’Donojú, The Last Viceroy

Posted June 15, 2020 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

The last Viceroy of New Spain left an interesting legacy. This is his story.

Islas Marías, The Mexican Alcatraz

Posted April 27, 2020April 27, 2020 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

The story of the last island penal colony in the Americas, Las Islas Marias.

Sor Juana, A Magnificent Life

Posted April 5, 2020 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

Little known outside Mexico, this 17th Century intellectual was a driving cultural force of her time.

Carmelita Torres and the 1917 Bath Riots

Posted March 16, 2020 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

Fear of a pandemic led to drastic measures at the border. A Mexican maid said, “No.”

The Unpriestly Life of Father Servando Teresa de Mier

Posted February 16, 2020February 17, 2020 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

A rebel priest who escaped prison 7 times, he played an important role in creating the nation of Mexico.

Yucatán, USA; A State That Almost Was

Posted January 6, 2020 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

In the mid-19th Century, Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula almost became a possession of the United States.

Opata Kingdoms of the North

Posted October 27, 2019October 27, 2019 Robert BittoLeave a commentPosted in Little-Known History

A complex civilization existed in the deserts of Sonora. Who were the Opata?