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The Maritime Republic of Eastport (MRE), commonly known as simply Eastport, is a seaside neighborhood community and tongue-in-cheek micronation located in Annapolis, Maryland in the US. The neighborhood was first settled in 1655, and became known as Eastport in 1888, before being annexed to Annapolis in 1951. In 1998, Eastport residents declared independence as a mock secession in response to the Maryland State Highway Administration's temporary shutdown of the drawbridge connecting Eastport to the rest of Annapolis. The micronation hosts numerous fundraisers, including an annual tug of war, 0.05 km (55 yd) run across the aforementioned bridge and annual "Burning of the Socks". The micronation is popular among tourists.

History

The neighborhood was first settled in 1655 and annexed to Annapolis in 1951.

The idea for the Maritime Republic of Eastport was conceived by a group of local residents in a pub. The micronation was declared on 25 January 1998 as a mock secession in response to the Maryland State Highway Administration's temporary shutdown of the drawbridge connecting Eastport to Annapolis. According its website; "The prime mission was to find a creative way to promote and encourage the patronage of Eastport businesses that were destined to be hurt by the Maryland State Highway Administration's shutting down for repair of the drawbridge connecting mainland Annapolis with the Eastport peninsula." The microstate's motto is "We like it this way".

By 2000, the existence of the micronation became widely-known by the other residents of Eastport, which was met with favourable approval from them. Though its independence is not recognised by any world government, Annapolis is aware of the jocular claim, and Eastport and Annapolis participate against each other in an annual tug of war.

The MRE features an annual bridge run between Annapolis and Eastport. Runners take part in a .05k bridge run across the Spa Creek Bridge. The tradition comes from the closure of the bridge in 1998, sparking the succession.

The micronation was featured in Lonely Planet's Micronations: The Lonely Planet Guide to Home-Made Nations, published in 2006.

Notable residents

• Terence Smith (journalist)

References

1. About us. Maritime Republic of Eastport's official website. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
2. ^ Dufner, Connie (26 August 2020) Eastport: No pier pressure in this eclectic corner of Annapolis. The Washington Post. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
3. Eastport: A Different Side of Annapolis. visitANNAPOLIS. Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
4. ^ Micronations - John Ryan. Lonely Planet Publications Party Ltd. September 2006. ISBN 978-1741047301. Retrieved January 26, 2014.
5. ^ Griggs, Tracy (18 October 2013) Historic Eastport near Annapolis offers slice of maritime life. The Washington Post. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
6. Clanton, Adam (2008) "The Men Who Would Be King: Forgotten Challenges to U.S. Sovereignty". Vol 26, p. 20. (HeinOnline). Pacific Basin Law Journal. UCLA Law. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
7. Couranz, K. (1999). The historic maritime republic of Eastport. Naval History, 13(3), 54.
8. Maritime Republic of Eastport's official website. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
9. James L. Erwin (2007). Declarations of Independence: Encyclopedia of American Autonomous and Secessionist Movements. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 50. ISBN 978-0-313-33267-8.
10. Mann, Alex (31 October 2018) In tug-of-war with Eastport, Annapolis puts muscle behind the party. Capital Gazette. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
11. EOA Staff (April 30, 2024). "Ready, Set, Slow: Eastport's Infamous .05K Bridge Run Returns!". eyeonannapolis.net. Retrieved December 17, 2024.

Further reading

• Couranz, Kim (May/June 1999) "The historic maritime republic of Eastport". (ProQuest). Naval History, Vol. 13, Iss. 3.
• McWilliams, Jane (1993) "History of Eastport". Eastport Historical Committee.
• Dutton, Jill (22 September 2020) How To Spend An Incredible Weekend In Beautiful Annapolis. Travel Awaits.

External links

• Official website

38°58′13″N 76°28′53″W / 38.97028°N 76.48139°W / 38.97028; -76.48139

• History of Annapolis, Maryland
• Micronations in the United States