A timeline of Mexican democracy

The Associated Press
Published: 06.30.2006

1929: Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI, which would go on to rule Mexico for 71 years, is created.

Oct. 2, 1968: Government forces open fire on a student protest in a Mexico City square, killing an unknown number of people just before the capital hosts the Olympics.

Sept. 19, 1985: Two strong earthquakes level parts of Mexico City. Frustration with the government's sluggish response strengthens opposition parties.

1988: Allegations that the PRI stole presidential election from the Democratic Revolution Party, PRD, prompt demands for fairer elections.

1989: PRI acknowledges an opposition party victory for governor for the first time.

1990: Mexico creates the autonomous Federal Electoral Institute, which will go on to monitor relatively clean elections.

Jan. 1, 1994: Mexico joins U.S. and Canada in the North American Free Trade Agreement. On the day the pact takes effect, Zapatista rebels stage an uprising, seizing towns in southern Mexico and demanding Indian rights.

December 1994: The peso is devalued, sparking a financial crisis that eventually forces President Clinton to put together a $20 billion bailout. Mexico pays off loan ahead of schedule, creates strong central bank and adopts conservative fiscal policies to prevent more meltdowns.

1997: PRI loses absolute majority in Congress for the first time; now the president must negotiate to pass bills.

July 2, 2000: Election of Vicente Fox as president ends PRI's uninterrupted hold on power.

Sunday: The first presidential elections to be held since Fox's historic victory.