MEXICO CITY.- Seven centuries ago, in the year 2 House (1325 CE), the nomadic Mexica people witnessed a divine sign that would lead them to establish Mexico-Tenochtitlan, a city whose legacy still pulses through the heart of today's sprawling metropolis. Starting this July, Mexico will embark on a series of celebrations culminating on July 26, 2025, the widely accepted date for the appearance of the sacred omen: an eagle perched on a nopal cactus, devouring the atl tlachinolli—the Nahua symbol of water and fire, representing war.

During the presentation of the commemorative program, "Seven Centuries of the Great Legacy of Mexico-Tenochtitlan," Diego Prieto Hernández, Director General of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), spoke at President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo's morning conference. He reminded attendees that the Basin of Mexico was a vibrant home to many cultures even before the Mexica arrived from the mythical Aztlan. Guided by the promise of the god Huitzilopochtli, they settled in the 14th century on Lake Texcoco, which ultimately cradled two powerful sister cities: Tenochtitlan and Tlatelolco.

"Mexico has always been a multicultural city, a territory of constant migrations, a land that has welcomed many populations speaking diverse languages," Prieto Hernández emphasized. "We are celebrating the beginning of the founding of these two great cities, particularly Mexico-Tenochtitlan, with a profound sense of recovering the memory and the strength of those who populated and built this city."

A Monument to History and Heritage

Among the key commemorative events is the unveiling on July 26 of a Tlalmanali monument in the northeast corner of the Plaza de la Constitución, next to the National Palace. This new structure will be a scale model of the Teocalli of the Sacred War, an original monolith created around 1507 during the reign of Moctezuma Xocoyotzin, and currently housed in the National Museum of Anthropology. Its reverse side famously depicts the pivotal eagle and nopal hierophany.

The monument's base will feature eight carved stone slabs illustrating scenes from the Boturini Codex, or Tira de la Peregrinación, which chronicles the Mexica migration from Aztlan to Anáhuac.

Beyond honoring the city's origins, the base of the Teocalli will pay tribute to five remarkable women from Mexica history. These include Chimalma, "She who Carries the Shield," who bore Huitzilopochtli's mortuary bundle; Ilancuéitl, "She of the Old Skirt," mother of the first tlatoani (ruler) Acamapichtli; Quetzalmoyohuatzin, "She who has a quetzal fan," mother of the first Mexica free from the Colhua; Atototzin, "Water Bird," daughter of Moctezuma Ilhuicamina and mother to three tlatoanis (Axayácatl, Tízoc, and Ahuízotl); and Tecuichpo Ixcaxochitzin, "Young Lady, Cotton Flower," daughter of Moctezuma Xocoyotzin and wife to both Cuitláhuac and Cuauhtémoc.

INAH's director also noted that the memorial will include bas-relief glyphs honoring various tlatoanis, including Acamapichtli, Moctezuma Xocoyotzin, Cuitláhuac, and Cuauhtémoc, among others.

"The base evokes the cosmic heart of the altépetl, the Huey Teocalli (Templo Mayor), encircled by a reflecting pool representing the Anáhuac, and a channel that recalls the lake city," Prieto Hernández explained. "It simultaneously alludes to the solar disk, which, at its second zenithal passage every July 26 at midday, casts no shadow."

Further commemorating this historic anniversary, a special postal stamp and a lottery ticket (for the Superior Draw on Friday, July 25) will be issued. Both will feature the iconic eagle and nopal symbol, which eventually became Mexico's National Emblem.