Template:Westarctica.wiki:Today's featured article
The Claimant Letter is the founding document of Westarctica. The purpose of the letter was analogous to a Declaration of Independence, although Westarctica was not under the authority of any world government at the time it declared itself to be a sovereign nation.
Starting in August 2001, Travis McHenry began researching the feasibility of making a legal claim to the previously unclaimed sector of Antarctica known as Marie Byrd Land. After closely studying the articles of the Antarctic Treaty, Travis determined that the terms of the treaty would only prevent a country from making a claim to Antarctica territory, but it would not prevent an individual from doing the same.
It wasn't until 30 October 2001 that Travis wrote what would effectively be a declaration of independence for the Achaean Territory of Antarctica. After purchasing special watermarked stationary paper, Travis composed the Claimant Letter from 29 - 30 October while he was home on leave at his mother's residence after completing his first deployment with the U.S. Navy to the Mediterranean Sea.