In 1982, the city of Key West, Florida, attempted to secede from the United States due to a roadblock cutting them off from the rest of the United States. As a result of the secession, the Conch Republic was born. The newly developed micronation was declared as a tongue-in-cheek secession from the United States on April 23, 1982.
Disclosure: Some links on our site are affiliate links. If you purchase a linked item, we will make a commission, at no extra charge to you.
Key West Seceeded from the United States
In March of 1982, the U.S. Federal Government placed a Border Patrol Roadblock on Highway 1 near Florida City to combat illegal drugs and immigration. The roadblock resulted in several miles of traffic jams for cars leaving or entering the Florida Keys. Key West reservations were canceled as the news spread to avoid the problems.
It didn’t take long for city and tourism leaders to begin talks of seceding. Court hearings were held, but the roadblock would remain as the cameras turned to Key West Mayor Dennis Wardlow they asked what he would do. The response led to what would become the Conch Republic.
“We are going to go home and secede”
Key West Mayor Dennis Wardlow
On April 23rd, officials gathered at city hall to raise the Conch Republic flag. Then the Schooner Western Union under the command of Captain John Kraus sailed into the harbor to “attack” the US Coast Guard Cutter Diligence. The attack happened with water balloons, Conch fritters, and stale Cuban bread. The Diligence defended itself with fire hoses in what would become known as the Great Battle of the Conch Republic.
Newly appointed Conch Republic Prime Minister Wardlow (a few minutes later) surrendered and demanded one billion dollars in foreign aid from the United States. The foreign aid never came, but the roadblock was quietly removed.
*The succession was symbolic and should not be viewed as a revolution against the USA. It was a wacky protest.
What is the Conch Republic?
As a result of the symbolic succession, the Conch Republic exists today as a sovereign state of mind. Their motto is “We Seceded Where Others Failed.” The name has since been expanded to include all of the Florida Keys with locals referred to as “conchs.”
Key West Independence Celebration
Forty-one years (2023) after the succession, the event is still celebrated annually with a week filled with events from Conch Blowing to Boat Drag Racing to a reenactment of the Great Battle.