Comments on: 8 Secessionist Movements in American History

By: Bicycle Bill

Bicycle Bill — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:28:26 +0000

Winneconne, a small community in Winnebago County in east-central Wisconsin, seceded from the State of Wisconsin back in 1967 after it had inadvertently been left off of the official state highway map for that year. A secret committee began formulated a plan to secede from Wisconsin, set up toll gates on local roads, begin annexation of nearby communities (starting with the city of Oshkosh) to form a Sovereign State of Winneconne, and declare war on the United States. An alternative plan, consisting of annexation by another state — preferably one with better weather — was also considered.

A proclamation was issued on July 21, 1967, naming village president James Coughlin to be president of the new state of Winneconne, and their sovereignty was supposedly recognized by Canada. Wisconsin Governor Warren P. Knowles then entered into negotiations with the former village officials, and as a result Winneconne rejoined the State of Wisconsin at 12:01 AM on July 22, 1967.

An annual “Sovereign State Days” celebration still commemorates the event.

-”BB”-

By: Lynn Garthwaite

Lynn Garthwaite — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 19:45:03 +0000

Interesting article! I am currently blogging about some similar topics, including the State of Franklin and the State of Deseret – two states that didn’t make the final cut.

My topic is about how our states got their shapes (I started this research before the History channel aired the beginning of their series). I find this stuff really interesting and enjoy the fact that you accidentally learn some American history along the way.

http://www.lynngarthwaiteblog.com

By: Jeff DeWitt

Jeff DeWitt — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:40:09 +0000

You missed “the lost state of Franklin”, which was located in what is now eastern Tennessee.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_of_Franklin

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 03:59:41 +0000

I would totally move to Jefferson.

By: Brandy

Brandy — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:12:42 +0000

I remember the Key West thing. It was hilarious!

By: J Harris

J Harris — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:43:56 +0000

You also for got the great state of Lincoln, (Eastern Washington, Eastern Oregon, and the Idaho panhandle) petitions come around every few years to allow us to seceed from our western (or southern) halves.

By: Wes T.

Wes T. — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:21:01 +0000

The fiftieth anniversary of the McDonald Territory secession attempt will be in 2011. Philatelic commemoration is planned and discussed at Spring River Local Post’s page at http://www.qsl.net/kg0yh/mcdonald.htm
Some ideas are to recreate a Pony Express ride from Noel to Neosho, with carriage of souvenir mail, marked for the event appropriately.

By: JM

JM — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:08:05 +0000

I’d check out the Burr Conspiracy. Aaron Burr, Vice President under Jefferson (in his first term) and shooter of Alexander Hamilton also tried to instigate a war between the U.S., Spain, and England in 1804-06.

He was attempting to trick the U.S. into declaring war which would make it technically legal for him to take military action on American soil, which would allow him to seize land in what is now Texas and part of Oklahoma and create his own monarchy.

He also got the commander of the U.S. Army, James Wilkinson, to help as well as future war hero and president Andrew Jackson to build flotilla rafts that were going to be used to lay siege to New Orleans.

By: Reddkatz

Reddkatz — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:44:00 +0000

The native Hawaiians have been trying to secede from the U.S. for years. Their biggest attempt was in the 90′s from what I remembered, when they tried to make Hawaii a sovereign nation.

By: RH

RH — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:02:00 +0000

There was also a movement for 14 counties in western Illinois to form the state of Forgottonia in the late 1960′s and early 1970′s. Wikipedia has an article.