No territory could be formally claimed prior to being effectively occupied.

Roman supremacy over the whole world was formally claimed by the new Latin patriarch.

After ten days passage from Honolulu, he arrived to formally claim the island on 17 January 1899.

The Republic did not formally claim possession of the shoals until 13 July 1895.

Bligh conceded defeat at 8:25 pm, and Newman formally claimed victory 20 minutes later.

Broughton formally claimed the river, its drainage basin, and the nearby coast for Britain.

Yoweri Museveni formally claimed the presidency on January 29, 1986.

In March 1519, Cortés formally claimed the land for the Spanish crown.

Regions like Tataria or Bashkiria have formally claimed considerable autonomy from the center.

In November, Peru formally claimed its right to the lands that were to be sold to the British creditors.