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The shortest war in history lasted only 38 minutes

The Anglo-Zanzibar War, fought between the United Kingdom and Zanzibar on August 27, 1896, is recorded as the shortest war in recorded history. The war began when the pro-British Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini died, and the British attempted to install a new sultan. Zanzibar refused, leading the British to declare war. After just 38 minutes, Zanzibar surrendered, and the war was over. This brief conflict was sparked by a dispute over who should be the ruler of Zanzibar, a strategic island in the Indian Ocean.