Issue date: 22 Apr, 2019
ANNIVERSARIES. 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARRIVAL OF HERNAN CORTÉS IN MEXICO AND THE FOUNDING OF THE CITY OF VERACRUZ.
On 14 March 1519, Hernán Cortés’ expedition reached the Grijalva River in the city of Potonchán in Tabasco. At first, the local Chontal Maya people did not allow them passage, but according to legend, they decided to back down when they saw Cortés on horseback and the technological superiority of the Spanish.
After that, the Tabasco authorities regaled Hernán Cortés with offerings. There, he met La Malinche, also known as Doña Marina, who would become his interpreter and allegedly his lover.
Just days later the town of Santa María de la Victoria was founded, and the city of Veracruz was founded on 22 April of the same year.
The long-awaited meeting between Cortés and Moctezuma took place in 1519. The Spanish were received as though they had been sent from the gods and were regaled with all kinds of luxuries.
But the Spanish soon found out about the treasures kept there and the first revolts broke out among the nobility. They were eventually set upon and had to flee on what is known as La Noche Triste or “The Night of Sorrows”, when many of the Spanish accompanying Cortés lost their lives.
This year is the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Hernán Cortés in Mexico and the founding of these cities.
Correos is joining the celebration of this important anniversary by issuing a stamp dedicated to the famous conquistador.
The stamp depicts an image of an engraving of Hernán Cortés in the foreground looking toward the background of the stamp, which contains a detail from a watercolour lithograph of the Plaza de Veracruz done by Carl Nebel sometime between 1829 and 1834.
Rate A - €0.75. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, up to 20 g.
Rate A2 - €0.85. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, between 20 g and 50 g.
Rate B - €1.65. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to Europe (including Greenland), up to 20 g.
Rate C - €1.75. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the rest of the world (except USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand), up to 20 g.
Rate D - €2.10. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, up to 20 g.