Micronations and the Search for Sovereignty is a non-fiction book about micronations and their legal status within international law. It is written by the Australian lawyers and legal academics Harry Hobbs (pictured) and George Williams, both of whom specialise in international law. Written from an academic perspective, it is one of few works on micronational movements. The book concerns the definition of statehood, the place of micronations within international law, the motivations people have for declaring them, the micronational community, and the ways by which such entities mimic sovereign states. It was published by Cambridge University Press as an ebook on 23 December 2021, and in hardcover and paperback formats in January 2022. The work's legal and non-dismissive academic approach to micronations garnered positive reviews. Hobbs and Williams also authored How to Rule Your Own Country: The Weird and Wonderful World of Micronations for a broader audience, published later in 2022.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micronations_and_the_Search_for_Sovereignty

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1491:

Reconquista: The Granada War was effectively brought to an end with the signing of the Treaty of Granada between Castile-Aragon and the Emirate of Granada. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granada_War

1885:

Banff National Park, the oldest national park in Canada, was established as the Banff Hot Springs Reserve. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banff_National_Park

1951:

The left-wing Japanese novelist Wataru Kaji disappeared, leading to a government inquiry in which CIA involvement was investigated; Kaji stated he was kidnapped and held against his will by intelligence officers, which the United States denied. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CIA_activities_in_Japan

2013:

English-Irish boy band One Direction released their third studio album Midnight Memories which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and became the best-selling album of 2013. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight_Memories

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

sport one's oak: (intransitive, originally and chiefly Britain, university slang, dated) To close one's door (originally the outer door of one's set of rooms in a college) as an indication that visitors are not welcome. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sport_one%27s_oak

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

As we look to the future, we have to end this cycle of violence in the Middle East. We need to renew our resolve to pursue this two- state solution where Israelis and Palestinians can one day live side by side — in a two states solution — with equal measure of freedom and dignity, two states for two people; and it’s more important now than ever. Hamas unleashed this terrorist attack because they fear nothing more than Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace. You know, to continue down the path of terror and violence and killing and war is to give Hamas what they seek. And we can't do that. … Over the coming days I'll remain engaged with leaders throughout the Middle East as we all work together to build a better future for the region — a future where this kind of violence is unthinkable; a future all children in the region — every child — Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Israeli, Palestinian, Arab — grow up knowing only peace.   --Joe Biden https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Joe_Biden