San Marino

San Marino is a landlocked state located on the Italian Penensula. It is the third smallest states in Europe (after the Holy See, and Monaco), San Marino is said to have been founded in 301 AD by a Christain stonemason named Marinus, and tus claims to be the worlds oldest Republic. It's constitution, which was written in the 1600s is claimed to the world's oldest connstitution still in effect today. The Republic almost ceased to exist during Giuseppe Garibaldi's war to unify Italy, but after the Republic gave the nationalist refuge, as well as others in Garibaldi's movmment, he allowed the republic to keep its independence as a sign of appreciation. It's foreign policy is aligned with the EU, even thought it is not a member; social, and political trends in the republic track closely with those of Italy.

On March 29, 1861 the US recieved letters from the Regent Captains of San Marino offering President Abraham Lincoln honorary citizenship. Lincoln warmly accepted the offer, responding, "Although your dominion is small, your state is nevertheless one of the most honored, in all history." This exchange marks San Marino's recognition of the US as a soviergn states, as well as San Marino's recognition by the US. Despite this it would not be until 2006 that the US accredited an Ambassador to the republic.