French troops enter the Mexican capital after an eighteen month campaign

French troops finally occupied Mexico City on June 7, 1863 after an eighteen month march from the sea. President Benito Jaurez and other government officials had abandoned the city the week before. General Elie Frédéric Forey entered the city in triumph three days later and preparations began for the setting up of complete French control under the eventual rule of Emperor Maximilian I.  (By John Osborne)