The Pig War

Q: Which event caused The Pig War, which began in June 1859?

A: An American farmer shot a pig belonging to an Irishman

The Pig War: An Unusual Conflict

The Pig War was a unique and largely bloodless conflict that unfolded in the mid-19th century on the San Juan Islands, located between the U.S. and British territories. The story begins in 1859 when an American settler named Lyman Cutlar shot a pig belonging to a Irish farmer, Charles Griffin. The pig was rooting through Cutlar's potato patch, leading to a series of escalating tensions.

At the time, both the United States and Britain claimed the San Juan Islands, a strategic area for trade and military positioning. Following the incident, Cutlar's action sparked outrage among British authorities, prompting the British to send warships to the islands. In response, the U.S. military dispatched troops, leading to a standoff between the two nations.

Despite the gravity of the situation, the Pig War remained relatively peaceful. Both sides focused on preventing armed conflict, and eventually, the presence of military forces led to negotiations. The crisis was defused when both nations agreed to a joint occupation of the islands until the dispute could be resolved.

The matter was eventually settled peacefully in 1872 when a U.S. arbiter ruled in favor of the United States, awarding the San Juan Islands to America. The Pig War stands out not only for its bizarre origins but also as a testament to diplomacy over warfare. Today, the islands are a popular tourist destination, and the story of the Pig War serves as a quirky reminder of a unique chapter in American and British history.