In the beginning of the Spanish conquest the northern part of Mexico was known as Nueva Galicia ; Aguascalientes which means "Hot Waters", originates as a heaven city for the many poor of the region. Its location between Guadalajara and Zacatecas on the Ruta de Plata or "Silver Route" gave it many advantages, but its founders had to face many obstacles: attacks from indigenous tribes that had been banished from the region, epidemics, and poverty to the extent that at one point in history the townÂÂÂ’s population was reduced to only 16 inhabitants.

At the end of MexicoÂÂÂ’s independence this little town faces a new problem, it is absorbed by Zacatecas until 1835 when it gains its independence under the rule of general Santa Anna.Legend tells that a rich couple from Aguascalientes gave a magnificent dinner party in honor of the general and that the hostess gave the general a kiss in exchange for the independence of her homeland. True or false, the host, Don Pedro Garcia Rojas, became the first governor of the new independent state.

Many economic advances where achieved under PorfirioÂÂÂ’s rule. One of them was the railway system that connected the whole country and Aguascalientes was not the exception. Then came the Mexican Revolution and when it was ending in 1914 , this city was host to the Revolutionary Convention summoned by all the revolutionary insurgents who where fighting for power. During that meeting all the different insurgent groups had a chance to present themselves and their ideologies and had a space to discredit their opponents. The most representative and legitimate state institution of the Mexican Revolution was born during that convention.

First founded as the “Villa of Ascension ”, the little town soon chooses the Virgin of the Assumption as its patron saint and changes its name to “Villa of Our Lady of the Assumption of Aguascalientes”. The thermal waters surrounding the city are its landmark. Today the state of Aguascalientes and its capital city of the same name are known for more attributes besides its privileged location, including an excellent transportation system with an international airport, a railway system and a large highway network; and the fact that 80% of its area is urban and has developed a large industrial zone that offers job opportunities to the younger population.