The shortest war in history lasted only 38 minutes - Apparently.
The Anglo-Zanzibar War was fought between the United Kingdom and Zanzibar on August 27, 1896. Zanzibar's pro-British sultan had been overthrown, and the UK issued an ultimatum for his reinstatement. When the ultimatum expired, the UK declared war, and Zanzibar responded with a 500-gun salute. The UK responded with a 14-gun salute, and the Zanzibari forces surrendered after just 38 minutes. This brief conflict remains the shortest war in recorded history, with the UK emerging victorious.