WOTAN CITY, LADONIA — Among Ladonia’s many unique celebrations, March 21st marks the Day of Captain Hillman, also known as the Day of Fictitious Characters. While the origins of Captain Hillman remain shrouded in mystery, this holiday, overseen by the Custodian Office, serves as a tribute to the power of imagination and the figures—both real and unreal—that shape cultures and narratives.
Unlike other Ladonian observances rooted in historical or artistic events, Hillman Day is an enigma. Some believe Captain Hillman was a legendary seafarer lost to time, while others suspect the name was lifted from an obscure literary reference or even fabricated entirely. In true Ladonian fashion, the uncertainty surrounding Hillman’s identity is embraced rather than resolved.
A Day for Fictional Icons
The celebration extends beyond Captain Hillman himself, honoring fictional figures, myths, and invented personalities. Ladonian citizens and creative minds worldwide use the day to recognize the characters that have influenced storytelling, satire, and cultural identity. Whether it be legendary explorers, forgotten folklore heroes, or entirely original creations, March 21st is a day to bring imaginary figures to life.
The Role of the Custodian Office
The Custodian Office, the governing body responsible for maintaining Ladonian traditions and archives, curates Hillman Day as a reflection of Ladonia’s artistic spirit. Ladonia, a nation built on conceptual art and defiance of conventional statehood, finds meaning in recognizing figures that exist only in the mind.
Who Was Captain Hillman? Speculation about Captain Hillman’s origins ranges from the plausible to the absurd:
- A forgotten 18th-century privateer who vanished under mysterious circumstances.
- A misunderstood Ladonian folk hero whose story was lost to history.
- An elaborate inside joke (much like other Ladonian traditions).
- A reference to a fictional or misattributed historical figure whose existence remains debated.
Celebrating the Day of Fictitious Characters
Each year, Ladonians are encouraged to take part in the holiday by:
- Inventing or reviving forgotten fictional characters.
- Sharing stories, poems, or illustrations of mythical or imaginary heroes.
- Debating and theorizing about the real identity of Captain Hillman.
- Embracing the idea that some figures are more influential in fiction than they ever could be in reality.
Whether Captain Hillman was a real person lost to time or a deliberate creation meant to challenge perceptions of history, Hillman Day stands as a testament to Ladonia’s enduring commitment to creativity, storytelling, and the art of the unknown.
