History

The Order of the Aztec Eagle (Orden del Águila Azteca) was instituted by the Mexican Government on December 29, 1933. It was established as attempt to unify the country, and reach recognition as an independent country, after the civil war and the war against United States.

The Order is exclusively conferred upon foreigners citizens in recognition of meritorious and distinguished services rendered to Mexico and the humanity.

Originally, the Order consisted of military and civilian division, however this distinction was abolished in 1941.

The current statutes were introduced in 1975. Currently, the Order consists of six grades; Collar, Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, and Knight.

The Order was modified by last time on the record in 2011.

The Order has no motto.

The first Knight of the Order was Niceto Alcalá-Zamora y Torre (1877-1949), President of the Second Spanish Republic, who was rewarded on September 15, 1934.

The Collar was exclusively awarded to Head of State. The miniature awarded with the Collar has small gold eagle on its suspension bar.

The Collar has been granted 32 times. Among these recipients are Queen Isabel II of United Kingdom, King Juan Carlos I of Spain, and Emperor Akihito of Japan.

The Collar is extremely rare, especially in its execution in gold.