The Conch Republic
On April 23, 1982, Key West seceded from the United States, declared war on the federal government, surrendered, and immediately applied for foreign aid. It worked.
In April 1982, the US Border Patrol set up a roadblock on US-1 at Florida City — the only road into the Keys — to check for illegal immigrants and drugs. The resulting traffic backup devastated Key West's tourism economy. Mayor Dennis Wardlow drove to Miami to seek a federal injunction. When the court denied it, he returned to Key West and announced that the Florida Keys were seceding from the United States.
Mayor Wardlow declared the Conch Republic, broke a loaf of stale Cuban bread over the head of a man in a US Navy uniform, surrendered to the Admiral of the US Navy, and immediately demanded $1 billion in foreign aid. The roadblock was removed within days.
The Conch Republic has been celebrating its independence every April since 1982 with a week of events, a mock naval battle in the harbor, and a parade. The motto — 'We Seceded Where Others Failed' — is on flags, bumper stickers, and merchandise throughout Key West. The Conch Republic passport is a real document that has been accepted at international borders. The whole thing is a masterpiece of political theater that actually achieved its goal.
Conch Republic Independence Celebration happens every April around the 23rd — the anniversary of the secession. The Conch Republic flag flies throughout Key West year-round. The Conch Republic Seafood Company at the Historic Seaport is a good place to learn the history over a beer. The official Conch Republic website sells passports.