The year was 1859. America and England had already fought two wars. Now, they were at peace. But one day a pig got hungry. And it nearly caused another war between the two countries.
The pig was owned by a British man who lived on a small island. The island was just off the western part of North America. Both England and the US said the island was theirs. Across the island from the British man lived some American farmers. Everyone on the island got along peacefully. But the peace ended the day the British man's pig decided to eat some of an American farmer's potatoes.
One of the American farmers shot and killed the pig. Then the pig's owner wanted $100 from the man who shot the animal. That was a lot of money, so the farmer refused to pay it. The British and Americans began to argue, and the situation got worse. The farmers asked the governor over the island at that time for help. He sent a group of soldiers to protect the farmers. The British answered by sending 2, 000 soldiers. The British were on one side of the island, and the Americans were on the other. The problem that began with the pig was about to become a shooting war.
When news of the problem reached Washington and London, both leaders were surprised. Neither country wanted another war. They sent some men to try to fix the problem. After a discussion, it was decided that each country would keep a small group of soldiers on the island. They would stay there until the two countries could decide who owned the island. Then the others would have to leave.
Twelve years went by. Neither side wanted to give u the island, but they knew they had to do something. They asked the leader of Germany to help decide. After nearly a year of discussion, a decision was made. America would get the island.
Finally, the Pig War was over and only one shot was fired. That was the shot that killed the pig!
