The shortest war in history lasted 38 minutes - Apparently.
The Anglo-Zanzibar War, fought between the United Kingdom and Zanzibar on August 27, 1896, is recorded as the shortest war in history. The conflict began when the pro-British Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini died, and Zanzibar's interior minister, Khalid bin Bargash, seized power, sparking a British ultimatum. The war ended with Zanzibar's surrender after just 38 minutes of bombardment by the British Royal Navy. This bizarre event is well-documented in historical records and has been verified by multiple sources, including the BBC and the British government.