Guatemala: Polity Style: 1820-1824

9 Mar 1820	the Constitution of the Spanish Monarchy (Constitución Política de la Monarquía), designating Guatemala as a province, is re-established upon the swearing-in of the King of the Spains at a ceremony held in Madrid on 9 Mar 1820 (Spain Official Gazette, No. 36, 11 Mar 1820, p. 261)
8 Jul 1820	a royal order of 25 Mar 1820, prescribing the proclamation of re-establishment of the Constitution of the Spanish Monarchy, is promulgated by the Supreme Political Chief of the Province of Guatemala in Guatemala City on 8 Jul 1820 (BAGG 4, 1938, No. 1, p. 70)
8 Jul 1820 - 17 Sep 1824	Provincia de Guatemala
15 Sep 1821	an act of independence is approved at a meeting of the Provincial Deputation (Diputación Provincial) of Guatemala, municipal council, clergy, and nobility held in Guatemala City on 15 Sep 1821 (BAGG 4, 1939, No. 2, pp. 127-129)
5 Jan 1822	the unification of Guatemala with the Mexican Empire, approved by the majority of municipalities, is certified by the Provisional Consultive Junta (Junta Provisional Consultiva) of Guatemala at a meeting held in Guatemala City on 5 Jan 1822 (Semanario Político y Literario, vol. 4, No. 13, pp. 297-300; BAGG 4, 1939, No. 3, pp. 389-395)
30 Jun 1823	the incorporation into the Mexican Empire is declared null and void in accordance with a resolution passed by the Asamblea Nacional Constituyente at a session held in Guatemala City on 30 Jun 1823 (Central American National Constituent Assembly Minutes 1823, pp. 295-296, 408-409; BAGG 1, 1936, No. 4, pp. 438-443)
1 Jul 1823	the provinces of Central America are proclaimed free and independent from Spain and Mexico and form a federation under the name of the United Provinces of Central America (Provincias Unidas del Centro de América) in accordance with an act approved by an assembly of representatives meeting in Guatemala City on 1 Jul 1823 (Central American National Constituent Assembly Minutes 1823, pp. 420-440; BAGG 1, 1936, No. 4, pp. 445-453; BAGG 4, 1939, No. 4, pp. 618-621)
2 Oct 1823	the act of independence of 1 Jul 1823 is confirmed and ratified in accordance with a resolution of the National Constituent Assembly (Asamblea Nacional Constituyente) of Central America passed at a session held in Guatemala City on 1 Oct 1823, promulgated as a decree on 2 Oct 1823 (Archivo Histórico de la República de Nicaragua, pp. 170-173; Montiel, p. 37; BAGG 4, 1939, No. 4, pp. 641-642)
27 Dec 1823	republican and federal form of government is established for the united provinces of Central America under the name of the Federated States of Central America (Estados Federados del Centro de América), in accordance with the Foundations of the Federal Constitution (Bases de la Constitución Federal) adopted at a session of the National Constituent Assembly of Central America held in Guatemala City on 17 Dec 1823 and promulgated on 27 Dec 1823 (BAGG 2, 1936, No. 1, pp. 80-85)
17 Sep 1824	the State of Guatemala (Estado de Guatemala) is proclaimed a constituent state of the Central American Federation formed under the Foundations of the Federal Constitution (Bases de la Constitución Federal) in accordance with a resolution passed by the Constituent Congress (Congreso Constituyente) of Guatemala at a session held in Antigua Ciudad de Guatemala on 16 Sep 1824 and promulgated on 17 Sep 1824 (imprint; BAGG 1, 1936, No. 2, pp. 171-172)

Frequently described in historical literature as the Act of Independence of Central America, the document merely declared independence from Spain to be "the aspiration of the people of Guatemala." It did not specify the territorial scope of the independent polity, but included representatives of a number of municipalities of Central America in the Provisional Advisory Junta (Junta Consultiva Provisional). The principal cities of Central America either adhered to the Act adopted on 15 Sep 1821 or issued separate declarations, in some cases favoring union with the Mexican Empire. The Act further provided for the existing authorities and political divisions to continue under the Spanish Constitution of 1812, thereby legally preserving the status of the Province of Guatemala.