Moosylvania facts for kids

Moosylvania is a make-believe island. It's found in the Lake of the Woods, right on the border between Canada and the United States. This island was an important part of the cartoon show The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.

What is Moosylvania?

Moosylvania is not a real place. It's a fictional island that doesn't have any people living on it permanently. The island is described as a tough and unpleasant place to be.

A Land Nobody Wants

Moosylvania is a bit like a "no man's land." This means that neither Canada nor the United States wants to claim it. Each country says the island belongs to the other! Bullwinkle J. Moose is said to be the island's namesake and its governor. However, Bullwinkle only stays for two weeks at a time. He says that after two weeks there, "anyplace else in the world feels like Heaven!"

Saving Moosylvania!

In the final episode of the show, called "Moosylvania Saved," a bad guy named Fearless Leader tries to destroy Moosylvania. Fearless Leader is the boss of a fictional country called Pottsylvania. But the plan is stopped! Bullwinkle was ready to go down with his sinking island. He asked Rocky the Flying Squirrel for a stick of gum. This gave Rocky a great idea! He used bubble gum balloons to lift Moosylvania up. The plan worked, and Moosylvania was saved, giving the show a happy ending.

A Real-Life Campaign

In the fall of 1962, Jay Ward, who produced the Rocky and Bullwinkle show, decided to do something fun. He wanted to campaign for Moosylvania to become a real state in the United States!

Ward sent someone to Minnesota to try and buy an island in the Lake of the Woods. Most of the islands in that lake belong to Canada. They couldn't find an island for sale on the U.S. side. But they did manage to rent one for three years.

Jay Ward and a publicist named Howard Brandy then went on a trip across the country. They traveled in a special van that was decorated for Moosylvania. They collected signatures from people on a petition. This petition asked for Moosylvania to become a state.

While they were in Washington, D.C., they wanted to meet with President John F. Kennedy. However, they arrived at the White House on a very important day. It was the same day the Cuban Missile Crisis started. This was a serious time for the country. Because of this, they were asked to leave.

Moosylvania's Music

A special song, an anthem for Moosylvania, was made. It was included on a small music album called A Salute to Moosylvania!! Recorded Live at the Moosylvania Jazz Festival. Jay Ward released this album himself in 1962.