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. Zanzibar surrendered after just 38 minutes, making it a brief but intense conflict. The war was sparked by a dispute over who should be the ruler of Zanzibar, with the British supporting one candidate and the opposing side supported by the Sultan of Zanzibar. The war was a decisive victory for the British, who went on to annex Zanzibar as a protectorate.