The translation of the city of Guatemala (1773-1779)

After the earthquake of 29 July 1773 the capital of the Kingdom of Guatemala was not rebuilt but moved. The decision was taken by two open assemblies, the second voting by plurality for the Valle de las Vacas; the Crown confirmed it and assigned ten years of one tax to pay for it; and a bando of 1777 ordered the old city emptied within a year. It is one of the few relocations of a capital in the Americas that can be followed decision by decision.