Counting Down History’s Most Ridiculous War Triggers – Crazier Than Modern Jokes

The Accordion Affair

In 1932 in Italy, a visiting German diplomat publicly mocked a local folk accordion performance, calling it “unbearably rustic.” Italian officials saw it as an insult to national heritage. A week later, German consuls were pelted with tomatoes, and diplomatic relations deteriorated.

Though war didn’t erupt, tensions remained icy for months. It’s now a footnote in European diplomatic oddities. Moral of the story? When abroad, keep your musical critiques to yourself — or risk causing an international squeeze-box scandal.

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