James T. Mangan
Encyclopedia
James T. Mangan was a famous eccentric
, public relations man and best-selling author on self-help topics who publicly claimed ownership of outer space
in 1948.
Mangan founded what he called the Nation of Celestial Space
and registered it with the Recorder of Deeds and Titles of Cook County, Illinois
, on January 1, 1949. Eventually, the Nation claimed 100,000 members and in 1958, Mangan applied for membership in the United Nations
and erected a flag outside the UN Building in New York City before millions of television viewers. He consistently and stubbornly insisted that Celestia - his nickname for the Nation of Celestial Space - was a legal and valid micronation
, going so far as to issue passports to astronauts and protest the incursions of satellites on his domain.
In his book The Secret of Perfect Living, Mangan created a psychological system slightly resembling transcendental meditation
, in which readers were encouraged to engage their subconscious minds and obtain specific mental states by focusing their attention on mantra-like one-word affirmations called switchwords; for example, focusing on "GIGGLE" would be useful "to get in mood for writing."
Eccentricity (behavior)
In popular usage, eccentricity refers to unusual or odd behavior on the part of an individual. This behavior would typically be perceived as unusual or unnecessary, without being demonstrably maladaptive...
, public relations man and best-selling author on self-help topics who publicly claimed ownership of outer space
Outer space
Outer space is the void that exists between celestial bodies, including the Earth. It is not completely empty, but consists of a hard vacuum containing a low density of particles: predominantly a plasma of hydrogen and helium, as well as electromagnetic radiation, magnetic fields, and neutrinos....
in 1948.
Mangan founded what he called the Nation of Celestial Space
Nation of Celestial Space
The Nation of Celestial Space was a micronation created by Evergreen Park, Illinois, resident James Thomas Mangan. Celestia comprised the entirety of "outer space", which Mangan laid claim to on behalf of humanity to ensure that no one country might establish a political hegemony there...
and registered it with the Recorder of Deeds and Titles of Cook County, Illinois
Cook County, Illinois
Cook County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois, with its county seat in Chicago. It is the second most populous county in the United States after Los Angeles County. The county has 5,194,675 residents, which is 40.5 percent of all Illinois residents. Cook County's population is larger than...
, on January 1, 1949. Eventually, the Nation claimed 100,000 members and in 1958, Mangan applied for membership in the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
and erected a flag outside the UN Building in New York City before millions of television viewers. He consistently and stubbornly insisted that Celestia - his nickname for the Nation of Celestial Space - was a legal and valid micronation
Micronation
Micronations, sometimes also referred to as model countries and new country projects, are entities that claim to be independent nations or states but which are not recognized by world governments or major international organizations...
, going so far as to issue passports to astronauts and protest the incursions of satellites on his domain.
In his book The Secret of Perfect Living, Mangan created a psychological system slightly resembling transcendental meditation
Transcendental Meditation
Transcendental Meditation refers to the Transcendental Meditation technique, a specific form of mantra meditation, and to the Transcendental Meditation movement, a spiritual movement...
, in which readers were encouraged to engage their subconscious minds and obtain specific mental states by focusing their attention on mantra-like one-word affirmations called switchwords; for example, focusing on "GIGGLE" would be useful "to get in mood for writing."