The shortest war in history lasted only 38 minutes - Apparently.
The Anglo-Zanzibar War, fought between the United Kingdom and Zanzibar on August 27, 1896, holds the Guinness World Record for the shortest war in recorded history. The conflict began when the pro-British Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini died, and the British government supported his cousin, Hamud bin Thuwaini, for the throne. Zanzibar's pro-German forces, however, had backed a different candidate, leading to a declaration of war by the British. After 38 minutes of bombardment, Zanzibar surrendered, and the war was over.