28. In 1859, a pig started a war between the US and Britain
On June, 15, 1859, a British pig wandered onto the American Lyman Cutlar’s land on San Juan Island, near Vancouver. The pig ate some potatoes, and Cutlar shot it. Incredibly, this pig’s love of potatoes escalated into the Pig War. Both Britain and the US claimed to own the island, and this incident provided the catalyst for hostilities. Local British and American forces entered tense a stand-off involving over 2,500 men, 5 warships, and 84 cannons. When their flabbergasted superiors got wind of the situation, they hurriedly agreed on a truce. The war ended with casualties of one pig.
