Republic of Molossia

Molossia, also known as the Republic of Molossia, is a micronation bordering the United States, founded by Kevin Baugh (born July 30, 1962) and headquartered at his home near Dayton, Nevada. The Republic of Molossia has claimed itself a nation, but it is not recognized as a country by the United Nations or any major government. On April 16, 2016, Baugh hosted a tour of Molossia, sponsored by the website Atlas Obscura.[5] Kevin Baugh continues to pay property taxes on the land to Storey County (the recognized local government), although he calls it "foreign aid." The land use of the property identified as being within the county is Manufactured Home Converted to Real Property.[6] Kevin Baugh has stated, "We all want to think we have our own country, but you know the U.S. is a lot bigger".[7]

For the ancient Epirote tribe of Molossia, see Molossians.
Republic of Molossia

Respubliko de Molossia (Esperanto) República de Molossia (Spanish)
Micronation
Flag
Coat of Arms
Motto: Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained
Anthem: "Fair Molossia is Our Home"[1]
Capital
and largest city
Baughston
Official languagesEnglish, Esperanto[2], Spanish[3]
Demonym(s)Molossian
Organizational structureUnitary presidential constitutional republic (de jure)
Dictatorship (de facto)
• President
Kevin Baugh
• Vice President
Adrianne Baugh
LegislatureNational Assembly
Establishment
• Declared
May 26, 1977
Area claimed
• Total
0.0053 km2 (0.0020 sq mi)
Population
• Estimate
30 humans, 4 dogs
Membership7
Purported currencyValora and Cookie Dough[4]
Time zoneMolossian Standard Time (UTC-7:41)
Calling code+1 775

History

The origins of Molossia come from a micronation childhood project, called The Grand Republic of Vuldstein, founded by Baugh and James Spielman on May 26, 1977.[8] Vuldstein was run and populated by King James I (Spielman) and Prime Minister Baugh, although James soon left Vuldstein. Baugh used this name for several nomadic kingdoms as he traveled to Europe. From 1998 to 1999, Molossia was a member of the United Provinces of Utopia 3. On September 3, 1999, Baugh created the Republic of Molossia as a successor country to Vuldstein and declared himself president.

President Kevin Baugh (born July 30, 1962)

On November 13, 2012, Kevin Baugh created a petition on the Whitehouse.gov We the People website to obtain official recognition of the micronation (Petition "We the People"). He declared at the last census (March 18, 2012) 27 inhabitants (Newsbites Molossia).

Territory
Border sign, Harmony Province

Molossia consists of three properties (previously four) that are owned by Baugh, in the contiguous United States and comprising a total area of 6.3 acres (2.5 ha): Harmony Province, located near Dayton, Nevada, is the smallest of Molossia's territories, at little more than one acre (4,000 m2) in size. It is the Baugh family's primary place of residence, and the site of Molossia's designated capital, Baughston. Baughston was renamed from Espera on July 30, 2013, to commemorate President Baugh's 51st birthday.[9]

Recent developments

In August 2003, Baugh purchased a small piece of rural land in Northern California. This was referred to as the Colony of Farfalla. The property was sold late in 2005, after Baugh inherited more land which he subsequently named Desert Homestead Province, in Southern California.[10] Desert Homestead had been owned by Baugh's grandfather, and the property has been declared a national monument dedicated to him.

In early 2015, the Farfalla Colony once again became Molossian territory.[10]

Economy

Molossia's currency is the valora, which is subdivided into 100 futtrus and pegged to the relative value of Pillsbury cookie dough.[11] Cookie dough is stored in an outbuilding called the Bank of Molossia, from which valora coins made from gambling chips and printed banknotes are sold.[12][13] CNN's Great Big Story also featured Molossia and Baugh.[14]

Ongoing hostilities with East Germany

The Republic of Molossia claims to be at war with East Germany, alleging that they are responsible for military drills performed by Kevin Baugh while stationed with the United States Military in West Germany, and therefore are also responsible for the resulting lack of sleep. While East Germany formally ceased to exist in 1990 following the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany, Molossia argues that Ernst Thälmann Island, dedicated by Cuba to Weimar German politician Ernst Thälmann and gifted to East Germany, and lack of mention in the Treaty on the Final Settlement or by the nation of Cuba, is still East German land, allowing the war to continue.[15][16]

National symbols

Molossia's flag is a horizontal tricolor of blue, white, and green. The blue bar represents the nation's strength and the desert sky, the white bar represents purity and the surrounding mountains, and the green bar represents prosperity and the Molossian landscape.[17]

Other national symbols of Molossia include the mustang, the national animal; the desert quail, the national bird; and the common juniper and common sagebrush, Molossia's national tree and flower, respectively.[17]

See also

References
  1. Our New National Anthem Republic of Molossia (www.molossia.org). Date 28 January 2014; access date 4 September 2014
  2. "What is Esperanto?". Republic of Molossia. 226 Mary Lane, Dayton, Nevada 89403. Archived from the original on 2017-07-06. Retrieved 2017-08-04. Esperanto is the second language of the Republic of Molossia.CS1 maint: location (link)
  3. "Republic of Molossia on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2019-05-08.
  4. "Republic of Molossia - Bank of Molossia". Republic of Molossia.
  5. "Interviewing the President of Molossia". Atlas Obscura. 14 April 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  6. "Property Detail - Parcel Detail for Parcel # 003-304-18". Storey County Assesor's Office. Storey County. Archived from the original on December 6, 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  7. "Molossia and Vikesland? Leaders of (fake) nations gather in L.A." Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  8. "There's a country inside the US. Allegedly". Condé Nast Traveller India. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  9. "The President's 51st Birthday". Republic of Molossia. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  10. "Republic of Molossia - Official Website". Republic of Molossia. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  11. "Molossia's currency, the Valora, is linked in value to Pillsbury Cookie Dough (the current exchange rate of 1 Valora to $1 is 0.75)." Atlas Obscura article, April 2016
  12. "Bank of Molossia". Republic of Molossia. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  13. "'Lonely Planet' Explores Micronations". Day to Day. National Public Radio. 1 November 2006. Retrieved 19 April 2008.
  14. "This Man Runs a Micronation of 32 People". CNN. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
  15. "The War with East Germany". Molossia.org. Retrieved 2017-10-18.
  16. Machado, Carmen (2013-04-26). "The Imaginary Republic of Molossia". VICE. Retrieved 2017-10-18.
  17. "Republic of Molossia - National Symbols". www.molossia.org. Retrieved 2019-04-09.

Further reading
External images
A 30th-anniversary coin
A customs station
A passport stamp from Molossia
A postage stamp from Molossia
A set of stamps


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