1821

Mexican Independence.

1823

Chiapas separates from Guatemala and joins Mexico.

1910-1920

Mexican Revolution.

1917

Proclamation of the Constitution, which is still in force today.

1919 (10 April)

Assassination of Emiliano Zapata.

1929

Foundation of the National Revolutionary Party (the future Institutional Party of the Revolution, or PRI, by its initials in Spanish).

1934-1940

Presidency of Lázaro Cárdenas. Nationalization of the oilfields and railways. Acceleration of agrarian reform.

1946-1952

Presidency of Miguel Alemán. Industrialization of the country and strengthening of a capitalist economy.

1968

The largest protest of the student movement culminates with the 2nd October massacre in Tlatelolco, Mexico City.

1970

Presidency of Luis Echeverría. New period of populist reforms.

1972

In Chiapas, the creation of the “Lacandon Community.” In a decree, the government grants to 66 Lacandon families a territory of 600,000 hectares, displacing 2,000 Tzeltal and Chol families from 26 communities.

1974

Indigenous congress in San Cristóbal de Las Casas; the first public demonstration of the rising indigenous movement.

1976-1982

Presidency of José López Portillo, which ends in a major financial crisis.

1982-1983

100,000 Guatemalan refugees arrive in Chiapas, the majority of whom are indigenous, fleeing the massacres carried out by the Guatemalan army.

1982-1988

Presidency of Miguel de la Madrid. Beginning of the policy of neoliberal modernization.

1983 (17 of November)

Foundation of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN).

September 1985

A major earthquake strikes Mexico City.

1988-1994

Presidency of Carlos Salinas de Gortari, after elections mired in controversy. Acceleration of neoliberal policies.

1989

Significant fall in the price of coffee.

1992

Reform of Article 27 of the Constitution, relating to agrarian reform. The reform signifies a weakening of the ejido and communal land-holding system. Demonstrations against the celebration of the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of America.