Liechtenstein / Switzerland

Aug. 08, 1982 - Vellerat - A municipality declares itself independent: With a march and a popular festival the small municipality of Vellerant - counting 58 inhabitant - celebrated its ''independence'' from the Canton of Berne to which it belongs politically since the new Canton of Jura was created in 1979. As the Only road which leads in to the small vilalge comes form the Canton of Jura the people there never stopped their fight to join the new Canton of Jura. This is the first time in the recent history of Switzerland that a municipality claims it own ''independence'' to reach its political goals. Some 1000 guests and friends joined the manifestation on the weekend of Aug. 14/15th. Photo shows Supporters reach the village of Vellerat on their march, a customs office was symbolically built by the villagers, the village of Vellerat issued its own passports and even this dog got one. (Credit Image: © Keystone Pictures USA/ZUMAPRESS.com)