La Noche Triste, which translates to "The Night of Sorrows," refers to a pivotal event in the history of the Spanish Conquest of Mexico that occurred on June 30, 1520. This event marks the retreat of Hernán Cortés and his forces from the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlán, following a disastrous attempt to consolidate control over the city.
The backdrop for La Noche Triste was set when Cortés, having initially been welcomed by the Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II, decided to take Moctezuma hostage to control the Aztec empire. This act of aggression sparked resistance among the Aztecs, particularly after Cortés left Tenochtitlán to deal with the expedition of Pánfilo de Narváez on the coast, leaving his second-in-command, Pedro de Alvarado, in charge. Alvarado's massacre of Aztecs during a religious ceremony exacerbated tensions.
Upon Cortés's return, he found Tenochtitlán in revolt. After failed negotiations and a violent uprising, Cortés decided to retreat under the cover of night. On the night of June 30, 1520, the Spaniards attempted to escape from the city. They built a makeshift bridge to cross the causeways that connected Tenochtitlán to the mainland. However, their escape was discovered, and the Aztecs launched an attack:
The retreat was a heavy blow to the Spanish, with estimates suggesting that over half of Cortés's force perished.
Despite this setback, Cortés regrouped with the aid of other indigenous groups who were enemies of the Aztecs, notably the Tlaxcalans. Over the next year, he laid siege to Tenochtitlán, which eventually fell in August 1521, leading to the fall of the Aztec Empire.
La Noche Triste symbolizes the resilience of the Aztecs and the harsh realities of the conquest. It is remembered for the heavy losses suffered by the Spanish and as a testament to the fierce Aztec resistance. The term "La Noche Triste" was coined by Cortés himself in his letters to Charles V, describing the sorrowful retreat from Tenochtitlán.