Kingdom of Fergus Celebrates Anniversary

(Kingdom of Fergus News Service)-The Kingdom of Fergus celebrates the first anniversary of its founding on February 25, 2008. (This is also the birth date of transgendered monarch Benjamin I/Benelea I.) Surrounded by the city of Hutchinson, Kansas in the United States of America, its founder and monarch was inspired to establish the kingdom as a result of graduate studies at Wichita State University in connection with micropatrology. The monarch is currently writing a master's thesis on this subject.

Historical highlights of the tiny kingdom's first year include:

*On March 31, the Kingdom annexed territory on the Arkansas River, designating it as the Queen's Tryst Protectorate. The protecorate's most prominent landmark was the legendary "Passion Tree" (also known informally as "Bennie's Tree"). The Passion Tree was destroyed during a recent ice storm. Queen's Tryst Protectorate is the only territory on which Fergusian military forces have ever been deployed. On several occasions during 2008, Queen Benelea repelled instruders from the protectorate.

*The establishment of a joint tenancy agreement between the monarch and Queen Mother Alberta, ensuring the control of the royal family over the Kingdom in perpetuity, was concluded. The agreement is celebrated as the first Fergusian national holiday on April 19.

*Owing in part to economic constraints, the Kingdom's issuance of government instruments has been very limited. To date, a Fergusian flag has been designed and produced and flies proudly over the royal palace. A prototype of the basic Fergusian monetary unit, the Davelar, has also been designed, but is not currently in circulation. The government hopes to issue passports, stamps, currency, and specie this year.

*On April 24, the monarch issued a dual citizenship proclamation. Under this arrangement, the Fergusian head of state filed with the Federal Election Commission as the first official transgendered U.S. presidential candidate. In the persona of Bennie Lee "Ben" Ferguson, the monarch continues to campaign for this office. (More information is to be found at: www.politicalgateway.ferg.com .)

*The Kingdom of Fergus has come to enjoy a cordial relationship with three other micronations in particular, those being the Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of Cato Island, the Republic of Molossia, and the Dominion of British West Florida. During 2008, the Fergusian monarch engaged in extensive correspondence with the heads of state and government officials of these nations, including GLK administrator Jason Alexander, His Excellency President Kevin Baugh of Molossia, and the Marquess of Mobile. Additionally, the monarch's first face-to-face meeting with another micronationalist head of state occurred in November during a brief meeting with President Eli Avivi of Akhzivland as part of a royal tour of the Middle East and Europe.

*A staunch supporter of the American military, the Fergusian monarch was photographed in September inspecting Bradley fighting vehicles as a guest of the Kansas National Guard.

The Fergusian monarch expresses gratitude to all of those who have shown interest in and supported the Kingdom during its inaugural year. Much has yet to be accomplished, but Fergusians quote with pride their national motto "Dulcius Ex Asperis" ("Sweeter After Difficulties") and look forward to the Kingdom's second year.