In 1859, an American farmer in the San Juan Islands shot a pig who was eating his potatoes, but the pig happened to belong to a British colonist. In the ensuing confrontation, 461 Americans and 14 artillery faced 5 British warships with 70 cannons and 2140 men. The only casualty was the pig.
In the 1300s, some fellows from Modena stole a bucket from…
In the 1300s, some fellows from Modena stole a bucket from Bologna (both in Italy), resulting in a great deal of humiliation for the Bolognese. They declared war, had a battle with around 2,000 casualties (split between both sides), and failed to reclaim the bucket.
A war was once fought over a bucket…
A war was once fought over a bucket. 2,000 people died. Other stupid war reasons: War of Jenkins’ Ear – England went to war with Spain over an ear and ended up losing over 400 ships and 20,000 men. War of the Golden Stool – An English guy wanted to sit in the nice chair […]
Andorra declared war on Germany during WW1, but didn’t send…
Andorra declared war on Germany during WW1, but didn’t send any soldiers because they didn’t have an army. At the Treaty of Versailles, Andorra was forgotten and technically remained at war with Germany, until the two countries declared peace in 1958.
The city of Huescar forgot they were at war with Denmark until a local historian…
The city of Huescar forgot they were at war with Denmark until a local historian found the declaration 172 years later. No shots were fired during the war.
In belligerent countries, male-to-female sex ratios at birth…
In belligerent countries, male-to-female sex ratios at birth increased during and shortly after the two world wars. This phenomenon is known as the “Returning Soldier Effect”. Nobody has been able to explain it.
In 1974 Jane Goodall observed a social rift…
In 1974 Jane Goodall observed a social rift in a community of chimpanzees turn into a violent 4 year civil war for territory involving kidnapping, rape and murder, changing her perception of chimpanzees, it is known as the “Gombe Chimpanzee War”.