Join the Arizona Historical Society and Dr. Matthew Restall for an installment of AHS Summer History Talks: Spanish Period in Arizona! This is a virtual program.

In a staircase mural in the old Mexican Embassy in Washington, DC, the Discoverer, the Conqueror, and the Emperor almost met. But in the end, only Columbus was preserved in paint, chosen over Cortés and Montezuma. Drawing upon a trio of his books, recent and upcoming, historian Matthew Restall uses the story of this mural to explore how the legends of these three men evolved over the past five centuries. Understanding that evolution, he argues, dramatically changes how we see much of the history of the Americas, from the Aztecs to the present day.

Help us keep programming free! Consider registering as a supporter and making a $10 donation to the Arizona Historical Society.