The Founding of Zaqistan
The origin of the Republic of Zaqistan lies in the internet. Zaq Landsberg purchased the two acres that now form Zaqistan off of the online auction site, ebay. Landsberg exchanged $610 for the land. Landsberg deemed it necessary to own a piece of the American West before it is all gone. The deed was granted to Landsberg on the 26th day of July, 2005. The deed was filed in the Box Elder County Recorder's Office on the 8th day of August 2005.
Later that month Landsberg and Jake Davidson ventured out into the unknown. Setting off from Los Angeles the First Expedition meandered through Arizona and Southern Utah before approaching what would become Zaqistan. They slogged along more than 15 miles of dirt road sand from the side of Terrace Mountain, they proceeded on foot and at 8:05 am on the 31st day of August, 2005. Upon arriving at the future site of Zaqistan, Zaq summitted and triumphantly plant the Zaq flag atop Mt. Insurmountable.
Zaq Landsberg plants the flag atop Mt. Insurmountable, filmed by Jake Davidson
The Declaration of Secession
The Declaration of Succession was written by Zaq Landsberg and drafted by Stephen Lichty on the 19th day of November, 2005. After taking the Oath of Citizenship upwards of 25 citizens signed the Declaration. Zaq was the first to sign at 10:27 PST. After all had signed titles were issued. Much jubilation ensued.
The Signers of the Declaration of Succession in action
Zaq Landsberg signs the Declaration of Succession
The Second Expedition to Zaqistan
On August 9th, 2006 the Second Zaqistan expedition departed from Los Angeles, CA. On August 14, Landsberg and Zaqistan Retreat Master Jeffrey Herbst arrived in Zaqistan. It took Landsberg and Herbst two trips to haul the material to assemble three robotic sentinels, a variety of tools and water. Despite blistering desert heat, Landsberg and Herbst walked more than 11 miles roundtrip and worked through numerous technical setbacks, to complete the three seven foot tall sentinels along Zaqistan's Southern border.
A Robotic Sentinels standing guard along the Zaqistan-United States Border
Images of the Guardians of Zaqistan
The Third Expedition to Zaqistan
The Third Expedition to Zaqistan departed Los Angeles, California on June 24, 2007. Picking up National T-Shirt Advisor Jeff Sisson outside of Sacramento, the Expedition was underway by June 25, 2007. The mission was two-fold, to establish a semi-perminant outpost to provide shelter and shade for the present and future, and to try and access Zaqistan by motor vehicle. The Expedition was successful on both accounts, but as with the Second Expedition, not without difficulty. The overland route to Zaqistan is passable, but barely. The expedition's mini-van soldiered over large desert brush, uneven terrain and mud before reaching Zaqistan.
Landsberg and Sisson assembled a geodesic dome out of steel piping. Draped in camouflage netting, adorned with mannequin legs and equipped with a hammock, the completion of the first building in Zaqistan was done by dusk on June, 26 2007. Landsberg and Sisson then preceded to celebrate by drinking the National Beverage, Dude Brew, and engaging in the National Pastime, Chillin'.
The first Zaqistani dwelling
The Third Expedition filmed and edited by Jeff Sisson
The Fourth Expedition to Zaqistan
The 4th Expedition to Zaqistan launched from Los Angeles on August 12, 2008. The focus of the expedition was to begin work on a permanent fortification. Sandbags were an obvious choice for building material because sand is one of the few natural resources abundant in Zaqistan. The plan was to build a watchtower, from which one could survey all of Zaqistan and spot any potential threats from far away.
The Expedition arrived in Zaqistan on August 16. The 4th Expedition reached Zaqistan with mountain bikes and a rugged bike trailer to haul supplies. Regrettably the terrain proved to be slightly too soft for bikes to be an efficient form of transportation to Zaqistan.The expedition sited the tower atop Mt. Insurmountable to get the maximum height and field of vision. At first progress was rapid but structural inconsistencies caused the tower to collapse at a height of 10 feet. It was rebuild shorter but still provides a beacon and a lookout post.
The Fifth Expedition to Zaqistan
The Fifth Expedition to Zaqistan, consisting of Sam Feather Garner, Fran Agone, Ingrid Burrington, Ryan Legassicke, Secretary of the Interior Charles Harlan and Benevolent Dictator Zaq Landsberg, departed Brooklyn NY on August 22, 2009. Entering Salt Lake City, Utah on August 25 via Chicago, Iowa City, Pine Buff, WY.
The Expedition took one day to gather material and build the framework of the Victory Arch, in a Salt Lake City driveway (generously lent by Naomi Marine and Matt) as well as obtain all necessary supplies and provisions for the desert. The amount of material, equipment and Expedition members being much greater than in any previous Zaqistan journey, the expedition enlisted the help of Cody Anderson and his truck (met through craigslist) to haul all supplies and personnel to Zaqistan.
The Expedition loaded up the truck and caravanned with the minivan around the Great Salt Lake towards Zaqistan. When the van could go no further on the dirt road, the expedition Transferred everything and everyone to the truck endured a rough off road journey, arriving in Zaqistan slightly before sundown.
The next morning, the expedition sited the Arch and and construction began. The Expedition assembled the framework of the Arch that morning and by afternoon erected it. By sundown the Arch was almost complete and sturdy enough for all six members to watch dusk fall on top of it. They packed out the next day and headed west via Salt Lake City and Las Vegas before refitting in Los Angeles.
Landsberg and Legassicke departed with three new members, Sofia Gallisa, Funkmaster General Henry Kaplan, Heather Kramer, and picking up Naomi Marine in Salt Lake City, the Expedition journeyed out to Zaqistan on September 5, completing work on the arch by noon on September 6th. Breaking camp, they returned to the car and the expedition headed east back to Brooklyn.