evangelization. The Franciscans arrived in 1558, the Augustinians in 1576 and the Dominicans in 1604. Many of the missionary expeditions to what are now California and Texas came from this city.
Over the rest of the colonial period, the riches from the ground financed the building important religious and secular constructions. The peak of this construction occurred in the 18th century. One of these constructions is the Colegio de San Luis Gonzaga, which was established in 1796.
Mexican War of Independence
Zacatecas was taken by Ignacio L�pez Ray�n for the Mexican rebel cause on 15 April 1811. People such as Victor Rosales and Jos� Mar�a Cos were involved with Hidalgo's cause. Shortly after Independence the city became the capital of the newly formed Zacatecas state, which was named after the city. In the mid-1820s, institutions such as the first opera house, first teachers� college, the state treasury, the state supreme court and other institutions were founded in the city when the first state constitution was signed. The first newspaper in the state started circulation herein 1825. The municipality was established in 1825.
From the end of the War of Independence until nearly the end of the 19th century, liberals or federalists and conservatives, who favored centralized rule from Mexico City, battled for control of Zacatecas. In 1835, then-liberal Antonio L�pez de Santa Anna defeated the troops of Francisco Garcia Salinas. During the Reform War, the city was taken by conservative general Miguel Miram�n.
First train connecting Zacatecas with Guadalupe was completed in 1880. Connection with Mexico City and El Paso by rail was established in 1884.
Mexican Revolution
During the Mexican Revolution, Zacatecas was the scene of the Battle of Zacatecas in 1914, pitting the rebel forces of Francisco Villa against the government forces of Victoriano Huerta. Zacatecas was the last stronghold of the Huerta forces,
