Page "Principality of Sealand" Paragraph 1

Since 1967, the facility has been occupied by the former British Army Major Paddy Roy Bates ; his associates and family claim that it is an independent sovereign state.

After World War II, he conquered it from a group of pirate radio broadcasters with the intention to set up his own station from the base.

He established Sealand as a nation in 1975 with the writing of a constitution and establishment of other national symbols.