Over the roar of the crowd, President Mr. Otingocni's voice can be heard as he addresses the people:

"Great citizens, on this glorious date, three hundred and sixty five days ago, we banded together to celebrate an awesome event: the opening of Puking Jim's BBQ Pit, Gentleman's Club, & Tavern. Ah yes, the Greasy Pole we used to call it. Remember that, Frank? Huh? Boy, they had some good bbq, didn't they? Hey, remember had that girl who was serving that one day we had the monkey suits ha ha. Woohoowee, I'd love to see her get on that... what's that? They're still listening?

Oh, yes, and then some time and pints after that- our existence as an official country!

No one thought that such a rag tag group of dirty coal miners and winos would ever amount to much. Especially not me. (Mostly on the account of the smell.) But, uh, really especially not my opponent who is running against me next term. But you have proved the doubters wrong. Through sheer brain-dead drunken stupidity of not knowing when to quit, you showed the world your spirit! You showed the world your resolve! You showed the world your asses. You showed the world that having a full set of teeth is not a prerequisite for success!

Through the initial days of being isolated in the world, at the mercy of bandits, raiders, and door to door salesmen, into the accepting family of nations called Zenith who held us at slightly father than arm's reach, through the horrible lolipop shortage of Ol' May, and that time our internet gave out and we had to watch porn through that inverted screen on the channels you're supposed to pay for but don't, through the hell of the Karma war, through that one bad week where we were in a black out from that funny batch of wine, finally to where we are today: Broke, desperate to see my sexy secretary, and lost in some ho-dunk town somewhere outside the capital, surrounded by the mostly illiterate unwashed masses. Er, ahem,- Well, citizens, you make your President proud!

So celebrate! Today is the best day of your miserable lives!"

The crowd cheers. Pres. Mr. Otingocni scurries into his limo and speeds off. Curiously, he doesn't look back.

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[OOC: An entire year has gone by and it's been a blast. Some brief successes: Defeated: 3 raiders, 3 ghosts. 3 anarchies given. Best war: 3 combatants at the same time for over 5 days, Karma War Veteran, a loss of over 50% of my NS. 3 anarchies received (first one, first battle, self induced: facepalm). Posters, Avatars, and Sigs made: well over 30. Diplomat, Deputy and Minister of FA, treaties with my name on it: at least 5. SNOW FA Rep. Thanks, everybody, it's been awesome. Here's to another year!]