Self-Appointed Prince
September 2, 1967 - The Principality of Sealand was established when a pirate radio broadcaster, Paddy Roy Bates, declared it to be an independent nation and named himself His Royal Highness Prince Roy of Sealand. The micronation is located on the former Fort Roughs, a naval fort built by the British during World War II on a sandbar 6 miles off the coast of Suffolk, England. In 1967 Bates took possession of the fort and began radio broadcasting without a license. However, because Fort Roughs sat outside the United Kingdom's three-mile territorial water claim, it was considered to be in international waters and outside the jurisdiction of British Courts. Sealand claims to be the smallest independent nation in the world (it measures only 550 square meters). While no other nation has given it diplomatic recognition; neither, has His Royal Highness been evicted. In fact Sealand now has a population of 27, its own flag, coins its own money and has even issued passports. If anyone is interested in receiving a title of nobility from Sealand, you can purchase your Lordship or Ladyship status here for only £29.99.
|
Independently Treated
September 3,1783 - The Treaty of Paris, which officially ended the Revolutionary War between the United States and Great Britain was signed in the Hotel d'York in Paris, France. The American delegation consisted of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay, while David Hartley signed on behalf of the British Monarch, King George III. Among the key provisions of the treaty was the recognition of the 13 American colonies as independent states and the establishment of borders between the United States and British territories in North America.
|
Olympic Massacre
September 5, 1972 - Eleven members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage and eventually murdered by the Palestinian terrorist group Black September at the Munich Olympic Games. The terrorists were able to gain access to the Olympic Village, where security was lax, by posing as athletes. After capturing the hostages the terrorists demanded the release of 234 Palestinians being held in Israeli prisons. While two of the Israelis were killed in the initial attack, the other nine were killed in a botched rescue attempt on September 6. After the disaster the Israeli government covertly launched an operation, known as Wrath of God, to hunt down and kill the members of Black September responsible for the attack. The story of the massacre and the ensuing Israeli operation is portrayed in the 2006 film, Munich.
|
|
"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. "
- Elmer Davis
|
This Week in History turns one year old this week. Thanks for helping to make it a success.
|
|
