In what year did the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés defeat the Aztec Empire?

Hernán Cortés defeated the Aztec Empire in 1521, but the significant events leading up to this victory began in 1519 when he first arrived in Mexico. In 1519, Cortés embarked on his expedition, which ultimately led to the conquest of the Aztecs. During this time, he made crucial alliances with various indigenous groups and engaged in pivotal battles against the Aztecs, culminating in the fall of Tenochtitlán in 1521. Thus, the year 1519 marks the beginning of Cortés's campaign against the Aztec Empire, setting the stage for his eventual conquest.