Spanish Explorers First Saw Ruins of Ancient Mayan City in 1576

Today in Latin American history, Spanish explorer Diego García de Palacio first saw the ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Copán in 1576.

By 900 AD only a tenth of the population was still present in the valley.

García del Palacio wrote a haunting description of the remains of the Mayan city in a report to the king of Spain, Felipe II. 

However, no effort to explore or study the ruins were made in 1576.

Other events that occurred on this day:

Today in LatAm history, Brazilian actress and singer Hebe Camargo who was known as the “Queen of Brazilian TV” was born in 1929

Today in LatAm history, Argentine singer and actor Palito Ortega who was also a politician was born in 1942

Today in LatAm history, Cuban chess player José Raúl Capablanca who was the world champion for 8 years died in 1942

Today in LatAm history, Mexican-born American tattoo artist Kat Von D who is known for her reality TV program “LA Ink” was born in 1982

Today in LatAm history, Brazilian footballer André Santos who plays for the National team & Grêmio was born in 1983

Today in LatAm history, Argentine writer Adolfo Bioy Casares who is known for his novel “The Invention of Morel” died in 1999

Today in LatAm history, Brazilian physicist César Lattes who discovered the pion, a composite subatomic particle, died in 2005