The Slatest

How Many Countries Were Created Through Secession Votes?

Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit (upper left), Prince Sverre Magnus (center front), Crown Prince Haakon (center back), Princess Ingrid Alexandra (lower left) and Marius Borg Hoiby (right) and some dogs on Norwegian Constitution Day in May.

Photo by Lise Aserud/NTB Scanpix/Reuters

Scotland is voting on whether to secede from the United Kingdom on Thursday. Given that many secession endeavors are put down violently, the Washington Post’s Philip Bump wondered: How many other countries have successfully been created after a secession vote? You’ll have to click through for the answer, but I’ll give you a sneak preview: Norway. See those dogs above? Those are purebred Norwegian Secession Dogs, and their fur smells like freedom.