The town that spent 172 years at war

In 1809, at the height of Napoleon's invasion, the Granada town of Huéscar declared war on Denmark, then allied with France. It was one patriotic gesture among many of the era. With one difference: nobody remembered to cancel it.

The Carlist wars came and went, then two world wars, then the Moon landing… and Huéscar remained technically at war with Denmark. Not a single shot, prisoner or skirmish in 172 years.

In 1981, a local historian found the declaration in the municipal archives. The story caused such delight that an official peace signing was arranged: the Danish ambassador travelled to Huéscar, the treaty was signed, and the town threw a proper celebration.

It was, quite possibly, the war with the best casualty record in history: zero. If only they were all like that.