Rivera chose the history of Mexico's conquest for the subject of the mural. The mural begins with the invasion of Mexico by the Spanish, going in chronological order of Mexico's history from that invasion. Rivera chose to focus on the region of Cuernavaca, as that was the mural's location, and the native Indian people of that region, showing their reactions towards the Spaniards' invasion and the events that took place afterwards. It is still available for viewing inside the Palace of Cortés in Cuernavaca today.