Simplify the following text for a Grade 8 native English-speaking person.
Original: The capital of the Spanish Captaincy General of Guatemala , covering most of modern Central America , was moved here after a series of earthquakes - the Santa Marta earthquakes that started on July 29 , 1773 - destroyed the old capital , Antigua Guatemala .
Simplified: It was founded in the year 1773 after strong earthquakes damaged the old capital , Antigua Guatemala .