Conch Republic | |
|---|---|
| Micronation (unrecognized entity) | |
 Flag of the Conch Republic | |
 | |
| Area claimed | Key West, Florida, US |
| Claimed by | Dennis Wardlow (mayor of Key West) |
| Dates claimed | April 23, 1982–present |
 The sign "WELCOME TO THE CONCH REPUBLIC" greets those arriving at Key West International Airport. | |
The Conch Republic (/ˈkɒŋk/) is a micronation declared as a secession of the city of Key West, Florida, from the United States on April 23, 1982. It has been maintained as a tourism booster for the city. Since then, the term "Conch Republic" has been expanded to refer to "all of the Florida Keys, or, that geographic apportionment of land that falls within the legally defined boundaries of Monroe County, Florida, northward to 'Skeeter's Last Chance Saloon' in Florida City, Dade County, Florida, with Key West as the micronation's capital and all territories north of Key West being referred to as 'The Northern Territories'".[1]
While the protests that sparked the creation of the Conch Republic (and others since then) have been described by some as "tongue-in-cheek", they were motivated by frustrations over genuine concerns. The original protest event was motivated by a U.S. Border Patrol roadblock and checkpoint that greatly inconvenienced residents and tourists.
The Conch Republic celebrates Independence Day every April 23 as part of a week-long festival of activities involving numerous businesses in Key West [2] including local rum distilleries like Chef Distilled.[3] The organization—a "Sovereign State of Mind", seeking only to bring more "humor, warmth and respect" to a world in sore need of all three according to its late secretary general, Peter Anderson—is a key tourism booster for the area.[4]
- ^ "A brief history of the Conch Republic" Archived November 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Cruz, Georgina (March 27, 2009). "Around Florida in late April: Conch Republic celebration in Key West plus events in Venic, Daytona, Orlando and St. Augustine". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
- ^ "Chef Distilled – Key West First Legal Rum Distillery". Stogie Press. February 1, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ Reno Gazette-Journal