14 April 4469
***NEWS FLASH: "FORTLAND" DECLARES NATIONHOOD***
Today well-wishers are celebrating the latest addition to Terra's family of nations.
The structure known as "Fortland" is an off-shore structure in the Odufart Sea, some distance off the coast of Noumonde. It was constructed as an anti-aircraft gun platform by Rildanor during the 2570s in order to protect shipping lanes between Noumonde, its newly-acquired colony, and south Seleya. It was originally known as the "Barreau Tower", after the architect, Mathis Barreau.
It has long since been abandoned. Technically, it was built illegally as it falls outside of Noumonde's territorial waters, and under international law is considered "terra nullius" or "nobody's land".
Over recent months, Fortland has been commandeered by Geoffrey Briggs, a retired major in the Luthori army and a noted eccentric. Briggs has set himself up on the structure along with his wife, Shirley. His son, Henry, and daughter, Elizabeth, occasionally stay him with as well.
Earlier today, Briggs released a "Declaration of Statehood", declaring the structure to be its own country, to be known as the "Republic of Fortland", of which he is President. The Declaration calls on other nations to formally recognise Fortland and establish diplomatic relations, and also calls on the World Congress to admit Fortland as a member.