Profile America

Profile America: The Winneconne Secession

July 21, 2017 6:00 AM·
The Sovereign State of Winneconne. Credit: sovereignstateofwinneconne.com

The Sovereign State of Winneconne. Credit: sovereignstateofwinneconne.com

Friday, July 21 — Fifty years ago today, Winneconne, Wisconsin declared its independence. Residents were annoyed that their town of some 1,300 was accidentally left off the state’s 1967 road map. Unsatisfied with Wisconsin’s apology, they seceded. Upon forming the Sovereign State of Winneconne, the secessionist government set up toll-gates at the border, plotted to annex nearby Oshkosh, good naturedly declared war on the United States, and contemplated seeking annexation by another state with better weather. Wisconsin’s then governor negotiated a settlement satisfactory to the rebels. Winneconne rejoined Wisconsin just after midnight on July 22nd.

An annual Sovereign State Days celebration commemorates the event in the town now grown to 2,400 residents.

Profile America is in its 21st year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.

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Author: Michael Benjamin is a public affairs consultant and an editorial board member at The New York Post. He is a former contributing columnist to the NY Post, City and State NY and other publications. He is a former Member of the New York State Assembly (2003-2010) and once led the Bronx Board of Elections. Since leaving office, he has appeared as a commentator on TWC NY1, Bronxnet OPEN, Good Day NY, and Al Jazeera America. His columns and blog focus on corruption, government, education, politics, redistricting, nuclear energy and race. He holds a B.A. in political science from Syracuse University.