The First War Over a Pig: A Historical Curiosity
The Pig War – A Bizarre Historical Conflict Some historical conflicts are remembered for their grand scale, while others are etched into history for their sheer absurdity. Notably, the Pig War, a peculiar incident in 1859, falls firmly into the latter category. This near-conflict between the United States and Britain began not over land, resources, or ideology—but, surprisingly, because of a single pig. Tensions in the Pacific Northwest To set the stage, the Pacific Northwest had already been a region of contention following the Oregon Treaty of 1846. Although the treaty aimed to establish a boundary between British and American territories, it failed to clarify the ownership of the San Juan Islands. Consequently, settlers from both nations moved into the area, which gradually turned into a hotspot for territorial disputes. A Pig Sparks the Conflict The tipping point came on […]
