<p>On 13 September 1847, during the Mexican-American War, Chapultepec – the gateway to Mexico City – was successfully stormed by Marines and an Army detachment and became the first Americans in the city.   On the next day, they were assigned to duty as guards to the National Palace, called the Halls of the Montezuma.   This action inspired the first line of the Marine Hymn. 
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The storming of Chapultepec Sept. 13th, 1847/ drawn on stone, printed in colors ... by Sarony &amp; Major ; from a painting by Walker in the possession of Capt. Roberts, U.S.A.   Courtesy of the Library of Congress:  LC-DIG-pga-02604.
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