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Emperor Norton was a resident of San Francisco, California, who in 1859 declared himself "Emperor of these United States" in September 1859, a role he played for the rest of his life.

Norton had no formal political power, but was treated deferentially in San Francisco and elsewhere in California, and currency issued in his name was honored in some of the establishments he frequented. Some considered Norton to be insane or eccentric, but residents of San Francisco and the city's larger Northern California orbit enjoyed his imperial presence and took note of his frequent newspaper proclamations. Norton received free ferry and train passage and a variety of favors, such as help with rent and free meals, from well-placed friends and sympathizers. Some of the city's merchants capitalized on his notoriety by selling souvenirs bearing his image.

He is often considered the founding father of micronationalism.

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Micronations premiere

• 12 Jul - Senator Radionov returns to the Senate of Westarctica after active duty with the Ukraine infantry.
• 9 Jul - Grand Duke Travis represents Westarctica at the United Nations in support of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• 14 Jun - Baron Jain is released from police custody.
• 5 Jun - Micronations premieres at the Tribeca Film Festival.
• 6 May - Berkeley PhD candidate Ria Raut is awarded the 2006 Count of Krigsvold Fellowship.
• 6 May - The Senate of Westarctica votes to ban the use of AI-generated material.
• 1 May - The Second Senate of Westarctica is seated.
• 28 Mar - The Royal Westarctican Navy becomes registered with the UK's National Independent Lifeboat Association.

This month in history 2017 Royal Polo Match 01 July - A delegation from Westarctica attends MicroCon 2023 in Joliet, Illinois. (2023) 10 July - The Order of the Orca becomes Westarctica's highest order of chivalry. (2019) 15 July - The Grand Duke issues a strongly worded demarche to the President of Sudan through the Sudanese ambassador to the United States. (2004) 15 July - The fourth annual Royal Polo Match (pictured) is hosted by Westarctica and Shiloh. (2018) 17 July - A delegation from Westarctica meets with James, King of the Sconnish for a diplomatic visit in Sconnish North America. (2017) 18 July - The Order of the Polar Cross is created to celebrate Westarctican diplomacy. (2022) 20 July - A delegation from Westarctica attends MicroCon 2019. (2019) 21 July - The lowest temperature ever recorded in Antarctica, −89.2 °C (−128.6 °F) was captured at Vostok Station in East Antarctica. (1983) 22 July - Wikipedia's article on Westarctica is confirmed as permanently deleted after a protracted battle between wiki editors and admins. (2017) 23 July - Westarctica and the Kingdom of Shiloh host the 3rd Annual Royal Polo Match in Los Angeles, California. (2017) 23 July - The Jain affair sends shockwaves through the Foreign Office. (2025) 31 July - Land surrounding Mount Isherwood is donated to the participants of GISH (2018).

Featured image The Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station is a United States scientific research station at the South Pole, the southernmost place on the Earth. The station is located on the high plateau of Antarctica at an elevation of 2,835 meters (9,301 feet) above sea level and is administered by the Division of Polar Programs within the National Science Foundation under the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). Photo Credit: Daniel Leussler (More Images)

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