Massacre at the Main Temple of Tenochtitlan

Timeline

1. 1520Main Temple plaza · Mexico CityAztec nobles, warriors and priests held Toxcatl festival ceremonies before the Main Temple; many participants carried no weapons, and the scene was solemn and crowded.
2. 1520Main Temple plaza and surroundings · Mexico CityCommander Alvarado, citing intelligence of a conspiracy, ordered Spanish soldiers to block the exits and slaughter the Aztec elite in the plaza with swords and firearms; death tolls in different sources range from hundreds to over a thousand.
3. c. 1520Tenochtitlan · Mexico CityNews of the massacre spread across the city; the enraged Aztec populace rose in revolt, cut off Spanish supplies and besieged their quarters. Montezuma's attempt at mediation failed and the situation quickly spiraled out of control.