Conch Republic

The Conch Republic ( / kɒŋk ripʌblɪk / ) is a micronation, proclaimed by the United States on 23 April 1982 by breaking away from Key West ( Florida) and some neighboring islands.

It was named after the English name of the queen conch, which also adorns the coat of arms and the flag of the Conch Republic. As a satirical protest is already the state motto " We seceded where others failed" (We have split us, where others have failed ) to understand what is on the flag. The Republic prescribed as part of their latest campaign "Saving The Humans initiative - with uncommon sense" (an initiative to save the people - without rhyme or reason ) the appeasement of tensions on the world through the use of humor.

History

In 1982, a control point on Highway No. 1 ( the Overseas Highway ) was established by the American border control authorities of the island of Key West combines the only land route over many bridges with the American mainland. Background was, according to official sources to search for illegal immigrants.

Due to the difficulties for tourism, in turn, the main source of income of Key West ( tourists had, among other things due to long traffic jams before the checkpoint and checks their stay canceled ), the city government of Key West soon demanded the immediate removal of the inspection body. After being sued the city government failed, Key West declared its independence on 23 April 1982 and called the Conch Republic from.

The Mayor of Key West, Dennis Wardlow, was appointed prime minister. The Conch Republic declared war on the USA, but a minute later surrendered unconditionally and asked for 1 billion dollars for the reconstruction. The process caused some popularity and eventually led to the inspection body was abandoned.

Although the Conch Republic is not even a day long existed as an independent state, many residents of Key West still identify with it. In Key West every year, Independence Day is celebrated with appropriate festivities on April 23. These extend over several days around April 23. Among the highlights of the festivities include the hoisting of the blue flag of the " Conch Republic " and the competition of " drag queens ". In the year 2004 24.768 inhabitants were counted in the Conch Republic.

In January 2006, Cuban refugees, who were on a discontinued, not connected to the land section of the Seven Mile Bridge, deported under the grounds that the bridge in terms of wet feet, dry feet policy not to land but to the water to should include, the refugees had therefore not reached the United States. Subsequently, Occupied as " Conch Republic Special Forces" Trailer occurring micro- nation, the building and set flags to publicity take possession of the dilapidated bridge was expressed. The U.S. government then revised her statement.

The Conch Republic maintains "messages" in France and Finland and sold prospects " passes" and diplomatic title. The " Consulate General " of the Conch Republic in Germany was built in Bingen am Rhein and officially opened in August 2010.

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