On June 15, 1859, an American settler named Lyman Cutlar noticed a pig rooting around in his potato patch

On June 15, 1859, an American settler named Lyman Cutlar noticed a pig rooting around in his potato patch

on one of the San Juan Islands. The pig had "been at several times a great annoyance," and the enraged Cutlar shot and killed it — inadvertently sparking a confrontation with the pig's British owner that would ultimately trigger the "Pig War."

Upon hearing that the British were threatening to arrest an American for killing a British-owned pig, future Confederate general George Pickett arrived at the San Juan Islands with dozens of soldiers to back him up, declaring, "This being United States territory, no laws, other than those of the United States, nor courts, except such as are held by virtue of said laws, will be recognized or allowed on this island." Great Britain sent five warships to the islands, while the U.S. readied nearly 500 soldiers with cannons. Fortunately, however, this conflict had just one casualty: the pig. 

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