Republic of Molossia
|
|
| Motto: Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained Musical Anthem: Molossia, Nation in the Desert | |
| Type of entity: | Micronation |
| Location: | Dayton, Nevada |
| Area claimed: | 6.3 acres |
| Membership: | 3 |
| Date of foundation: | 26 May 1977 |
| Leadership: | President Kevin Baugh |
| Purported organisational structure: | Republic |
| Language: | English |
| Purported currency: | Valora |
The Republic of Molossia is a micronation founded in 1977. Molossia has at times been one of the most influential and better known micronations. The Republic of Molossia bears no relation of any kind to the ancient Greek nation of Molossia.
National Data
The Republic of Molossia states itself to be a sovereign, independent nation, located in and completely surrounded by territory of the United States. With an area of 5.8 hectares (14.3 acres), Molossia is one of the smallest nations on earth. A sense of humor characterizes most Molossian people, who have a casual and comfortable western lifestyle.
Molossia is located in the western United States, with a tiny enclave in Dayton, Nevada (which is Molossia's home territory), a second enclave in Southern California (Desert Homestead), and a protectorate in the northeastern United States (New Antrim). The climate is dry and mild, with temperatures rarely exceeding 32 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), or dropping below 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit). The terrain is arid and sparsely vegetated, home to sagebrush and piñon pine trees, as well as coyotes, wild horses and jackrabbits. Situated in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Molossian Home Territory is just 45 kilometers from Lake Tahoe, and minutes away from Virginia City.
Molossia's population has remained fairly stable since the nation's establishment in Nevada, at just four citizens.
Molossia's purported currency, the Valora (VL), is based on a tube of Pillsbury cookie dough (exchange rate: 3 VL = 1 tube). The Valora is divided into 100 Futtrus (singular Futtrus). Molossia currently issues 4 coins and 4 bank notes. The 1 VL (featuring the Molossian Coat of Arms), 5 VL (featuring a portrait of President Baugh), and 10 VL (featuring a portrait of Emperor Norton I) coins are made by putting stickers on poker chips. The 50 VL coin is made of metal and commemorates the Treaty of Friendship of 2005 between Molossia and the micronation of Westarctica. The 50 VL coin is also the only coin to feature Molossia's motto. The Molossian bank notes come in 1 VL (featuring President Baugh), 5 VL (featuring Emperor Norton I), 10 VL (featuring Alphonse Simms from Moon Over Parador), and 20 VL (featuring Princess/Queen Mia of Genovia from the Princess Diaries films) denominations.
History
The Molossian Nation was founded on May 26, 1977. Known at that time as the Grand Republic of Vuldstein, James Spielman was declared King James I, and Kevin Baugh was declared Prime Minister. After a short period of sporadic activity the nation entered into a period of dormancy. King James I, though still monarch, ceased to be active in the kingdom at that time. The Kingdom continued on, without the direct participation of the King, and continued to be developed by the Prime Minister. In 1980 it was renamed the Kingdom of Edelstein, and in 1988 it was renamed again, this time as the Kingdom of Zaria. The Kingdom existed as a nomadic government, without a home.
In 1995, the Kingdom was transplanted to the State of Nevada, USA. In 1998, land was purchased that the nation could call home, and upon which the government was formally and officially established. In June 1998, the Kingdom was renounced in favor of a provisional Communist government. In September 1998, Molossia sacrificed its sovereignty and joined the United Provinces of Utopia as a province of that nation.
In January 1999 the UPOU ceased to exist as a nation, and bereft of a national government, the People's Democratic Republic of Molossia was declared, on February 21st, 1999, with Kevin Baugh serving as Premier.
Beginning in the spring of 1999, Molossia began a serious path of developing itself as an emerging small unrecognized nation, rather than a micronation project. The possession of physical territory was an important step in this process.
On September 3rd, 1999, the Communist government was renounced, the People's Democratic Republic ceased to exist, and the Republic of Molossia was declared. The former Premier, Kevin Baugh, became the President of the new government.
In 2000, Molossia hosted the first Intermicronational Olympic Games, in concert with the 2000 Sydney Games. That same year, Molossia sponsored the successful adoption of Norton Day (January 8th) as the first international holiday exclusively for small nations, and further created the Norton Awards for Intermicronational Excellence. In 2001, the nation hosted the first Intermicronational World Exposition, showcasing small nations from the world over.
Due to its longevity, Molossia has gained the respect of many other micronations and a certain amount of notoriety. The nation has been featured in two radio interviews, a television interview, magazines around the world, internet articles, and in a book by Lonely Planet.
In August 2003 Molossia expanded its frontiers for the first time and purchased land in Northern California, creating its first colony, Farfalla. This colony was surrendered in late 2005, only to be supplanted almost simultaneously by a new territory, Desert Homestead Province, located in Southern California. This new colony is currently governed by Cecily Houston, Governor General.
On 22 May 2006, Molossia went to "war" with a nearby micronation, Mustachistan. After a brief period of conflict the Molossians emerged victorious.
Government
Molossia is officially a republic, but in practice it is a dictatorship. All government functions are managed by the President, Kevin Baugh, including foreign affairs and management of the nation's website.
The laws of Molossia are a series of proclamations (such as banning the incandescent light bulb) issued by the government.
Culture
The culture of Molossia has a generally "western" attitude. The wild horse (mustang) is the National Animal, the sagebrush is the National Plant, Straw Hat Pizza is the National Pizza Restaurant, and Olive Garden as the National Restaurant. Molossia has its own time zone, Molossian Standard Time, which is 41 minutes ahead of Pacific Standard Time or 19 minutes behind Mountain Standard Time. The Tower of the Winds is Molossia's Official Tourist Attraction, and can be seen on any visit to the country, along with the Molossian Peace Pole and the Molossia Railroad. Molossia also has its own bank, postal service, online radio station, online movie theater, Navy, Naval Academy, Volcanology Institute and Air and Space Ministry.
Molossians celebrate many holidays such as Emperor Norton Day, St. Expeditus Day, the Moonpie Festival, Utopia Memorial Day, as well as the more traditional Halloween, Christmas and Boxing Day. Founder's Day is the most important holiday of the year. It recognizes the day in 1977 that the Republic was founded.
Pillsbury cookie dough drives Molossian traditions, as well as its economy. Pillsbury cookie dough is featured at every Molossian festival.
According to tradition, Molossian dates have Roman numerals added as a suffix to count how many years have past since Molossia's founding in 1977 (Ex: March 9, 2006 XXIX).
The Molossian Flag is basically the flag of Sierra Leone flown upside-down.
Legitimacy
As with any micronation, the legitimacy of Molossia as a nation and/or state is questionable. Molossia steadfastly maintains that it is a real nation citing the Montevideo Convention of the Rights and Duties of States and the United Nations Charter. Molossia has the goal of eventual international recognition.
See also
References
- The Republic of Molossia
- Ryan, J: Micronations: The Lonely Planet Guide to Self-Proclaimed Nations, ISBN 1-74104-730-7
- iBerkshires Bite-sized sovereignties offer worlds of fun, February 02, 2005
- How to Start Your Own Micronation