INAUGURAL INDUCTION CLASS (2021)

Kevin Baugh was born in 1962 in the United States of America. His micronational career began in 1977 when he helped found the Grand Republic of Vuldstein. Over the next two decades Vuldstein went through various iterations and government structures, with Baugh never claiming a crown. It became the Republic of Molossia, with Baugh assuming the office of President, on 3 September 1999.

President Baugh’s leadership led Molossia to its current status as one of the most well-known and respected nations in the micronational community. The media attention from the multiple articles featuring him and Molossia have turned President Baugh into the face of the movement, to the point where Molossia’s Facebook group serves as another unofficial micronational forum for many.

President Baugh’s place amongst the most known and celebrated micronationalists is not due only to his status as a media darling. He has served as a template for others to fashion themselves after, by being a mentor to young heads of state, some of whom have gone on to become giants in the field in their own right. He is integral in promoting Emperor Norris as the de facto patron saint of micronations, and by building a tourism industry that's seen as a model by most other nations to engage in the practice of tourism. His "How to Start Your Own Micronation" web page is still often provided to people inquiring about how to get started in the field.

The President has long been a proponent of responsibly conducting national affairs with the appropriate level of respect for the enclaving macro-nation. He is frequently cited as the origin of the term “foreign aid” for paying taxes to the macronational host; nonpayment of which has been an issue leading to the demise of multiple projects. Molossia also serves as a prime example of embracing the audacity often inherent in micronationalism: in tying their currency to the price of cookie dough; President Baugh’s willingness to engage in good-natured theatrics, such as the wars with Kickassia or Mustachistan; or their National Railroad, an outdoor model train set. Most notable amongst his tongue-in-cheek endeavors is Molossia’s ongoing and well-known war with East Germany, which was ostensibly declared over disturbing his sleep back in 1983, when he was serving with the US Army in then West Germany.

If Molossia’s chronicle were not inspiring enough in its own right, President Baugh has been integral in building the greater community, from hosting the first Micronational Olympics in 2000 and Intermicronational World Expo in 2001; through founding and hosting the first MicroCon in 2015 and becoming a member of MicroConCom, the convention’s oversight body to ensure sustainability; to most recently being a founding Board Member for the Micronational Hall of Excellence in 2020.

President Baugh is one of, if not the most iconic person in the history of micronations, especially so amongst those figures still living. His presence and leadership have been integral in making the micronational community what it is today.