Bartholome de las Casas was born in Spain in 1484. Las Casas graduated from the University of Salamanca, and soon afterward crossed the Atlantic to become the first clergyman ordained in the New World. However, his ordination did not stop him from participating in the conquest of Cuba. His work in Cuba as a conquistador produced huge rewards. Las Casas, received a large ranch and slaves for his efforts. Then, in 1514, Las Casas became aware of how harshly the Indians were being treated.

Benito Juarez was born in 1807 in San Pablo Guelatao, Oaxaca. Both his parents died by the time he was 3 years old. Soon afterward, his grandparents died and as a result he was raised by an uncle. Benito only spoke Zapotec until he enrolled in school at age 12 years old. Benito excelled in school, where he learned Spanish. In 1834, he became a lawyer, and practiced law for 7 years before becoming a judge. In 1947, Benito was elected governor of Oaxaca where he earned a reputation for honesty, and efficiency. Then in 1854, Benito helped draft a document called the Plan of Ayulta which called for an immediate end to the dictatorship of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. Soon after, Benito would be forced to flee in exile to New Orleans, Louisiana where he would work in a cigar factory until the government of Santa Ana collapsed a year later.

Every effort was made by the Spanish conquistadors to eradicate all signs of Mayan culture. They were helped by the Franciscan and Dominican friars who destroy all evidence of Mayan religious beliefs. The friars destroyed temples, shrines, and banned all ceremonial costumes. All native religions were banned, and instruction in Catholicism was mandatory. In addition, the Mayans were removed from their homes and forced to work on encomiendas. Under the encomienda system, the Spanish Conquistadors were awarded land grants as well as the services of the natives who were now property of the landowner. It was at the encomienda where the Mayans were expected to convert to Christianity.

Diego, and his twin brother Jose Carlos Maria, were born in Guanajuato, Mexico, on December 8, 1886. His parents, Maria and Diego Rivera, were delighted by the birth of their twins. However, their excitement would be soon contained when Jose died after only 18 months. Maria and Diego were now fearful that the same fate would strike little Diego. Out of fear for his life, they placed little Diego in the care of an Indian nurse named Antonia. Both of Diego Rivera's parents were teachers, and little Diego excelled in school. His artistic talents were recognized by the age of ten. At this time he began taking classes at the Academia de San Carlos, which was Mexico's most important art school. Then in 1906, he was awarded a scholarship to study art in Europe.

The marriage of Isabella, sister of Henry IV of Castile, and Ferdinand, son of John II of Aragon occurred in 1469. The marriage was politically complex and driven largely by John's ambition to unite Spain. In 1474, Henry IV died, and Isabella proclaimed herself queen of the very powerful Castile. She did this by declaring that Henry IV's daughter Juana was illegitimate. In the same year John II died and Ferdinand became the King of Aragon. In addition, he ruled over the Spanish states of Valencia and Catalonia.

John Lloyd Stephens was born in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, in 1805. His father was a wealthy merchant named Benjamin Stephens. John was raised in New York City, where he graduated from Columbia University. After graduating from law school Stephens opened his first office on Wall Street. Stephens loved travel, and soon he explored Egypt, Greece, the Holy Land, Russia, and Poland. At the conclusion of these expeditions he published two highly successful books that detailed his explorations.

King Charles V was raised in Flanders, the son of Philip the Handsome and Joanna the Mad. He was the heir to three major dynasties, and at one time ruled over Central, Western, and Southern Europe, as well as American and African colonies. Charles ruled over Aragon, Castile, and Leon at the same time, making him the first actual King of Spain.

We will probably never know La Malinche's true name. We do know, however, that she was called Dona Marina by Cortes and his men. We also know that Cortes was called Malinche, which at the time probably meant “sir.” Many historians believe that Dona Marina was called La Malinche because she was considered by Mexican people to be a traitor. In fact, even today, the word “Malinchista,” is used to imply that a person is a traitor and not truly Mexican.